Business culture in China is not a single-dimensional concept, but a complex system integrating traditional cultural genes, the characteristics of the times, and regional economic characteristics. From the trade exchanges of the ancient Silk Road to the vigorous rise of the contemporary digital economy, this cultural system has always been iterative in its inheritance, which has a profound impact on the business logic and market consumption behavior of enterprises. I mean, to understand business culture in China, we should not only trace its historical roots, but also grasp its specific presentation in the modern business environment – for cross-border entrepreneurs, local business operators, and even industry researchers, it is the key to grasping the pulse of China’s market.
The core context from traditional genes to modern transformation
The core gene of traditional business culture in China is inseparable from the three cores of “integrity”, “harmony”, and “justice and benefit”. As the People’s Forum Network described in the same and different management of Shanxi merchants and Anhui merchants, the rise of Shanxi merchants and Anhui merchants in the Ming and Qing Dynasties was guided by the Confucian concept of justice and benefit, and integrity was regarded as the core business principle. On this basis, the early business cooperation mode with its own characteristics was formed — Shanxi merchants carried out the stock system and top body stock system with clear property rights, and Anhui merchants built a collective property rights type cooperation system relying on the clan (People’s Forum Network, 2,020). This gene is not immutable. In the wave of market economy after the reform and opening up, it gradually integrated the modern elements of efficiency first, and innovation-driven.
From the perspective of industry observation, in the past ten years, business culture in china has shown a significant “double track integration” feature: on the one hand, the traditional culture of “relationship marketing” and “long-term doctrine” still plays a role in commercial activities, such as the establishment of long-term cooperative relations between enterprises, rather than simply pursuing short-term interests; On the other hand, the development of digital economy has given birth to a new business culture of “transparency” and “user center”. The rise of new formats such as live e-commerce and community marketing is just an intuitive embodiment of this transformation.
An analysis of the core differences between business culture in China and Western commercial cultures
Comparison of business culture in China and Western commercial cultures: focusing on the core differences of business culture in China
There is a core difference between Western commercial culture and business culture in china: the former pays more attention to contractual rigidity and individualism, and commercial cooperation is based on clear terms and pursues the maximum short-term benefits; The latter focuses on relationship trust and collective symbiosis, focusing on long-term cooperation and benefit sharing. In short, Western business is more like “doing things according to rules”, and Chinese business is “trust first, then cooperation”. This difference is also reflected in the way of communication – Chinese business communication is more implicit and euphemistic, while the West is more direct and frank.
Practical suggestions for foreign friends to adapt to the business culture in China
For foreign friends to do business in China, understanding and adapting to the business culture in China is the key. It is suggested to establish emotional connection through business banquets, industrial exchanges and other scenes, respect the “face” culture, and avoid public questioning or denying partners; When negotiating, listen more and be less impatient, fully understand the long-term cooperation demands of the other party rather than focusing on short-term interests; It can build a trust bridge with the help of local intermediaries or partners, and integrate into the local business ecosystem more quickly.
Future development trend and thinking
With the deepening of globalization and digitization, business culture in China will continue to present the trend of “integration and innovation”. On the one hand, the excellent core of traditional culture will be further inherited and upgraded, and become an important support for differentiated competition of enterprises; On the other hand, advanced concepts in international business culture will also be absorbed and integrated to form a more inclusive business ecosystem.
The possible development directions include: Data ethics will become an important part of business integrity, and enterprises need to pay attention to user data protection; Green business culture will be more popular, and low-carbon operation and circular economy will become the industry consensus; In cross-border commercial exchanges, the international influence of Chinese commercial culture will also gradually increase, forming a unique “Chinese business paradigm.”.
What experiences do you have in the practice of business culture in China in enterprise management? Or what adaptation problems have you encountered? Welcome to share your opinions.
Reference
People’s Forum Network (2020-06-10). The same and different management of Shanxi merchants and Anhui merchants. Retrieved from http://www.rmlt.com.cn/2020/0610/583135.shtml
China Academy of information and communication (2024). Digital trust industry map, Beijing: China Institute of Information and Communication
