Monday, March 11, 2013
Week 6 Posts Due March 15
I hope all of you enjoyed a bit of time away from school this past week. As the end of the semester continues to press closer, I urge all of you to make sure to keep up with your reading, and to consider beginning some of your assignments following the guidelines in the syllabus if you have time. And don't forget to get your immunizations and travel documents in order! It's been fun to read and follow your posts and see how all of you have been interacting with one another. Keep up the great work :)
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As I continue ready "Invisible China", the two protagonist find themselves in Kaifeng, where a small ethnic group of Chinese Jews reside.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, while going through the town they found the people to be completely ignorant of their culture. People knew nothing about how the Jews came to live in Kaifeng. Even, when they found a museum, it was not open to the general public, the tour guide knew nothing about the culture, and the exhibit did not really have any real artifacts.
The two main characters came to this conclusion, "the government printed and sold these materials [referring to merchandise in Kaifeng and from other minority cities] as evidence to show the outside world that China cares for its minorities…However, so the products are priced well out of the average family's reach. They were technically available, but practically unattainable."
That to me is quite a shock and really disappointing. I've known asian cultures to be dedicated to the preservation of culture and to hear this happening in China. It just really sad to hear.
I don't really feel like people should look down on the Asian culture simply because they may not know everything about different world cultures. Remember, they have spent many years under government oppression, closed off from the outside world. It takes time to create a new way of thinking, one that is open-minded to different perspectives, world views and where they came from. It will also take some time for the Chinese government to be more open and receiving to new cultural information. Also, the group of minority Chinese Jews in your book were in a small, probably more rural town, away from big cities with more available cultural resources. Hopefully their ignorance is not an accurate representation of China as a whole.
DeleteHolly said exactly what i was thinking. China is a nation that has been oppressed even up til today; while they are becoming quite open and are definitely making strides in the right direction it's still going to take a lot of time and acceptance from the outside world to propel them further, we need to understand where they are coming from and support them as they really are trying.
DeleteWow that is something to read there. Who would of thought that asian culture would do such a thing. I wonder why they didn't accept the Jewish culture. Just like you, I always thought that the Asian Culture would show value in other beliefs and values. Maybe there is more to the story then what meets the eye. Very interesting. I believe I rather read your book then mine, but that just my opinion. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy book tells the story of Bo Feng, a venture capitalist, working hard to spread the Internet business throughout China. I thought it was interesting that most Internet companies start up in Shanghai, China’s key finance center, rather than Beijing, the country’s capital. One main reason is because of the less oppressing governmental atmosphere in Shanghai. The Chinese saying is “Taingao haungdi yuan,” meaning “The sky is high and the emperor is far away.” It is a well-known fact that strict government control is a toxic and suffocating environment for newly created businesses, which need room for freedom and growth.
ReplyDeleteAnother topic in my book that I found odd is the Chinese government’s bipolar feelings about the Internet. Inconsistent policies change from encouraging Internet enterprise to discouraging it. Chinese Internet monitors go from installing and then removing firewalls to block users. China’s communism does not know where to find the ‘perfect’ balance between freedom and control of one of the country’s most valuable economic tools.
That's a really interesting quote, I like it. What I wonder when I read your other topic, is there really a "perfect" balance for the internet? I think it's admirable that the Chinese government is trying to find that balance, because I think there is a safe range of information that can be shared but then again there's just information out there that is too delicate for everyone to understand.
DeleteBut the idea that the Chinese government main concern with regulating the internet is to keep their unjustifiable secrets is a bit too much. That may be a reason but we don't know the entire story and that misunderstanding, i believe, will result in unwanted repercussions.
I agree with that quote, but at the same time countless new businesses fail in America too, and we have a much more free business environment to operate in. I think there is always something that inhibits the growth of new businesses, whether it be the "toxic government" in China or big corporations in America, it is always hard to "get your foot in the door." I agree that communist China probably doesn't breed innovation, but taking that away doesn't necessarily guarantee success for small businesses.
DeleteThe economic reform in China has significantly changed several aspects of employment for the Chinese. The changes include the places where people are employed, hours, wages, job security, and levels of satisfaction at work. What's interesting to me is how these changes have also affected the workers' home life. New attitudes about consumption have changed the balance between income and expenditure as well as the time and effort individuals spend at the workplace and at home.
ReplyDeleteMy book has also discussed how the changes in consumption, wages, and overall economic standing changed the balance between demands for wants and needs. It is an interesting concept to imagine the great differences that were made due to a few changes. Some for the good and others not as much.
DeleteI can definitely see how the changes in one area could change a persons whole outlook on life, but I am not sure that I could understand it changing things so quickly. Maybe the Chinese culture has been able to adapt to the changes quicker then western culture. I know many people who are so set in their ways, or think they are, that they will not accept changes in their personal life if they can help it.
DeleteThe current chapters I have been reading have been going over specific business owners of the village of Xia Qi Tan. Many in this village were pioneers of certain types of business in their county of Dongyang and in China. It also talked about how, due to regulations, there were times when jobs that required higher regulations would actually earn people less money. This ended up being a problem and didn't motivate the citizens of Dongyang county to become more highly educated. Some, however, prospered by starting business in industries such as carpentry and concrete.
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting to see how over regulation is actually preventing people from attaining a higher education. While higher education is beneficial, it seems that for these people that staying in a textile industry is actually more beneficial for them. While it is sad that regulations are a main reason keeping people from getting a higher education, it is nice to see that some are using other methods to become successful.
DeleteIt is very strange how they could regulate things like that, it was literally a way of punishing the educated. That is very wrong as people should be rewarded for furthering their education. However what was going on in the city you have described is the exact opposite.
DeleteThis week my book has focused on how to manage meetings and negotiations in China. Chinese protocol demands that you must greet the leader first and then move onto the rest of the people that are involved with the meeting. The seating in the meeting is very important and those that are in charge of the meeting will show the visitors where to sit. Most of the chapter talks about curiosity and things that are more common sense for a business meeting. Some key things to remember are to speak slowly, keep careful notes, and be sure to help Chinese understand things that come from the western culture.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to learn about different customs and behavior traits between the Chinese and the U.S. What you said about the seating arrangement in meetings reminded me of something the author mentioned in my book. Particular seating is important when doing business at a restaurant as well. The host normally sits facing the door and the guest of honor sits to his right.
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ReplyDeleteIn my reading this week, my book talked about sourcing in China and gave tips on how to successfully find products and partners. Some of the tips I found the most helpful are the following:
ReplyDelete1. Backward Searching: This means that instead of first looking for companies that make products, you instead start by looking for good products and then find out who the company is that makes the products.
2. The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair): This is the largest trade fair in China and is essentially the best place to look for sources. Thousands of exhibitors attend the fair, and firms are there at your convenience to do business with you.
3. Good Translator: It is essential to have a translator with you. And not just any translator, but a good one. It is important to have one that is able to interpret underlying meanings, connotations, and feelings. This will help you communicate your intentions and better understand the intentions of others.
It's interesting that your book mentioned the need for a good translator. My book dedicated a whole chapter to the importance of language and translating things well. I think it is so important to realize that there is much more to communication than vocabulary words and sentence structure.
DeleteBackward searching makes so much sense! I love these three points and I can definitely see the point in a good translator. I wonder if the Canton Fair will be going on while we're there??
DeleteMy book showed me a somewhat riskier side to the business they conducted in china than i had expected.
ReplyDeleteDuring the period arount1985, the Chinese RMB was under fluctuation. As a result of this the Chinese were unable to fund the VW undertaking as they had promised and VW realized that the current budget would be insufficient.
A solution put forth by one of the Chinese were that the VW plant issue bonds; which at the time was highly illegal. However one of the members of the Board was the director of the Bank of China and he said he would take care of everything.
Another aspect that made this whole situation kind of suspicious was that China did not have a stock market or a bond exchange. This would be the first time Shanghai VW ever issued bonds, and to top it all off, they would be the first foreign company to actually issue bonds in china.
While this was a very risky move and they had borderline inside information at the time this was perfectly fine, and it shows just how far VW really pushed the boundaries in their Chinese venture.
My reading this week focused on the importance of language. While it is obvious that speaking the same language is necessary for communication, there is much more to communication in a dialect-rich country such as China. The book pointed out that speaking Mandarin would not really help you if you do not speak the dialect of the region that you are working in. People trust their neighbors, not strangers. The book's main point was this: it is more important to have someone that you trust implicitly who can translate well (including body language, local sayings, etc.) than to attempt learning Mandarin yourself.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense with how Chinese culture works. They are very trust and relationship oriented. It is like how they do business: build the relationship and gain the trust, then make the deals.
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DeleteI completely agree, speaking an asian language myself... there are plenty of things about what a person feels when conversing that are not put into words but greatly in body language. In many parts of Asia especially, people tend to shy away from directly expressing in words how they feel about something. Which is why, in management especially cross-culturally understanding more than just the words and grammatical structures of a language are what's truly important to fully comprehend what is trying to be conveyed.
DeleteMy book talked about the importance of investing in domestic technology. Other countries have supported advances in technology, while America has begun to slack on its support. For example, the Export-Import Bank (funded by the U.S. government) gave a chip factory in Singapore a $652 million loan guarantee for its construction. Our agriculture receives more support than electronics and high-tech industries. China, on the other hand, has taken after other countries and invested in technology, in fact developing their approaches faster than other countries did.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't sleep so I continued on in my book. The author, Leslie Chang, attempts to get to know that factory girls of Yue Yuen. She talks particularly about one girl name Li Qianqian, who agrees to answer questions and does not mind being followed around. From her first encounters with this woman she learned two important things about the factory life:
ReplyDelete1. Don't Lose the Opportunity- Qianqian stated that she did not learn English nor did she finish elementary school. She traded that life for life in the factory.
2. Families Influence All Behavior- Pressure especially from the father urged women, Qianqian in this particular case, to send money home so that houses could be built for the family. Also they were pressured to get married as soon as possible.
It takes an assembly line about ten hours to make one shoe, which takes production 10 percent higher than it was nine years ago in 2004. The best jobs were in the development department where ideas of shoes were created for samples and not mass production.
This week I read about the good, the bad, and the ugly of U.S. impediments with trading in China. The good was the signing of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), because of all the bribery going on in foreign countries, in 1977 by President Carter. The bad were the national security laws that damaged American competitiveness. The ugly were America's immigration policies that were hindering trade with China. America’s scientist suggested that our nation is losing its’ lead in technology because our immigration laws are limiting the search for the smartest graduates. Company after company has reported lost sales because foreign executives cannot easily visit the U.S. for commercial reasons. The president of FedEx’s Asia Pacific Division told a New York Times reporter, “We are in essence restricting trade by restricting visas. Business people take their business elsewhere.”
ReplyDeleteThe chapter that I was reading today was the Myth that China is Westernizing. This was an interesting chapter to me because it is actually a myth that I have thought of myself. Looking at the economic improvements and the social changes, I have thought that China is really westernizing. However, the author says that China isn't westernizing, rather they are modernizing. The author points that Confucius principles are still very strong in the mentality Chinese, and are the guiding force for the lifestyle and business practices in China. One thing that he said I thought was very useful in entering a foreign market, and that the Chinese don't expect foreigners to understand completely their practices, rather they only wish to be respected. I think having that respect, even without understanding, can be a key to your success in business in that specific culture.
ReplyDeleteI think that what you said is true. From what I gathered from the reading china doesn't seem to be adapting the western culture. Like you said there modernizing. It's going to be fun to see how diffrient there culture really is when we get there.
DeleteIn my multicultural management class, we've been talking about collectivism vs individualism. The west {Americas} lean more to the individualistic aspects in decision making and in interaction with others. The east however, especially China tends to lean towards collectivism which in Chinese culture, defines individual status. In China the basis of Confucianism that drives their culture prefers that individual members of society, demonstrate their loyalty to particular groups with the hierarchical system. Such as extended family, work organization, or even their society as a whole. They believe that any "manifestation of independent motives, such as competition with, or distinction from, others is self-seeking and destructive"
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to hear about the differences in opinions and philosophies that the Chinese culture has for conducting business versus the American culture. I think that it is important for us to be aware of these differences this way we will have a better understanding and can be more accepting of their culture. I look forward to hearing more about the differences that our two cultures have.
DeleteMy reading this week in “Dragons at Your Door,” expanded upon the idea of how different Chinese companies have been able to enter and grab a higher percentage of the market share in such a short amount of time. The two major reasons that have caused China to become a global player by grabbing a large market share is their advantage in cost innovation and the fact that globalization has opened new gateways toward international competition.
ReplyDeleteWith a very competitive global market, cost innovation is key in order to be successful. Chinese companies understand this idea very well and have used their resources in the most optimal manor possible. Part of the reason that China is able to be cost innovative is the low wages that they have to pay their employees. In 2005, 3.4 million new graduates came into the market, which is three times the amount of graduates that came from the United States during the same year. Due to the large supply of potential job candidates, Chinese companies are able to pay wage rates that are between 5 and 20 percent of those in the United States.
The other factor that has led to Chinese companies rapid growth is globalization. What was once near impossible for developing countries to be a part of is now possible thanks to the technological advances and structure of the global economy.
Raul China Takes Off.
ReplyDeleteChina's government competed within its self inflating crop productions and sold or redistributed crop productions to meet the economic quotas. This lead to a great famine during the great leap forward because exaggerated production and compaction as leader sought to outdo each other in sales of grain to the state. The villagers who grew the gran often went hungry.
This exaggerated growth also lead to shortages as the resources were redistributed elsewhere.
The chapter I read this week was about Human Resource Management. The book talks about how companies in China are finding ways to connect with their employees. A couple of ways they try to connect is by organizing after-work social events. They began to create social clubs for different employees. A lot of the Chinese Companies are beginning to create performance managements. They say that these types of managers are being praise because they offer bonus and rewards for those employees who are working good, and plus it makes the employees work harder. Also, they have started mentoring programs for their employees. They believe that if these people know more about the company they work that they will work harder for the common goal. I feel like these companies are becoming more smart about how they treat their employees. They have made ways to let their workers know that they are important and they are value to the company. I believe thats how companies should be treating each of their employees. Overall good chapter.
ReplyDeleteFrom reading this summery,I realize that the HR department has adopted some of the Western ways of team work, increasing in performance. Also that cultures learn from each other and are able to take things that can help there culture in innovation.
DeleteI have come to an interesting part of my book were I see the consequences of China’s continuing development in the areas of trade, investment, technology, defense and diplomacy. In trade, for example, Chinese exports to the United States rose from six percent of comparable Japanese totals in 1985 to thirty-six percent in 1995, and surpassed Japan’s U.S.bound exports in 2002; in 2005, China’s exports to the U.S. exceeded Japan’s by 54 percent. The pattern of this export-led growth is widely associated with Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and other Asian economies adds significance to this reversal. There has also been massive upgrading of Chinese export infrastructure which will continue, strengthened both by expanding internal markets and technology-laden investment by foreign-based multinational corporations.
ReplyDeleteWow it looks like China almost has a monopoly on trade with the US. I wonder if this has strained any political relations with Japan or Taiwan?
DeleteThis week I came across an interesting section on getting patents in China. In the US, individuals who can prove that they created a new product own the intellectual-property rights. China's laws are similiar to that of Europe's where whoever files for a patent is credited with the intellectual-property rights. So what does this mean for US companies whose products are made in China? When an individual invents a product, he or she must file for patent rights in China quickly so someone else does not take it and claim ownership of developing the product.
ReplyDeleteIn the last chapter of my book it talked about Ford Motor Company's involvement in China. They chose to take the safest approach of any American auto manufactures and help off for quite a long time. As a result they now have the weakest reputation of any American car company there. Their involvement in China dates back to 1913 when they shipped a small number of Model T Ford's, however it was not until 1928 that Ford set up a sales and service branch in China, and even later in 1992 that they began manufacturing Ford's in China! Decades after other American companies had established themselves.
ReplyDelete