Carolyn Erdener

Business Ethical Values in China and the U.S.

The research presented in this paper focuses on business ethical values inChina, a country in which the process of institutional transformation has left cultural values in a state of flux. A survey was conducted in China and the U.S. by using five business scenarios. Survey results show similarities between the Chinese and American decision choices for three out of five scenarios. However, the results reveal significant differences in rationales, even forsimilar decisions. The implications of similarities and differences between the U.S. and Chinese samples are discussed.

The Internationalization of Chinese Family Enterprises and Dunning's Eclectic MNE Paradigm

This paper applies Dunnings eclectic paradigm of Ownership, Location and Internalization (OLI) advantages to the international activity and performance dynamics of the Chinese family enterprise (CFE). Through the lens of Dunnings paradigm, we trace the role of cultural and economic factors in the success of this important form of organization. In demonstrating the relevance of a theory that originated in the analysis of Western multinational firms to this indigenous Chinese type of firm, the paper supports the larger effort to expand the scope of received theory to include Chinese as well as other non-Western forms of organization.

A Transaction Costs Perspective on International Staffing Patterns: Implications for Firm Performance

This paper develops a model of the relationship between staffing patterns and firm performance in international firms. According to the logic of transaction cost economics, staffing patterns that reduce cultural frictions and risk can help the firm to gain competitive advantage and improve performance. The implications of various staffing patterns for international firm performance depend on the underlying basis for competitive advantage, and on the type of international strategy pursued.

The ethics of peer reporting in Chinese societies: evidence from Hong Kong and Shanghai

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ethics of peer reporting in Chinese societies. Based on a review of the literature, we develop a framework that explains peer reporting behaviour in terms of the individuals ethical ideology, locus of control and subjective judgement regarding the ethicality of peer reporting. Hypotheses derived from these speculations are tested with data from Chinese managers (n = 362). Statistical analysis largely supports the hypotheses. The implications of this finding are discussed.

Ethnicity, nationality and gender: a cross-cultural comparison of business ethical decisions in four countries

Data from 513 subjects in China. Korea,. Mexico and the USA are analysed to explore the effects of ethnicity, nationality and gender on responses to a variety of business ethical dilemmas. Responses are analysed with respect to the ethical theories of Utilitarianism (Act and Rule), Justice, and Individual Rights. Implications for human resource management are discussed.

More Food for Thought: Other Experiential Learning Projects

Recognizing the effectiveness and necessity of experiential learning in international business, more and more hands-on projects are being developed and successfully used by our colleagues all around the world. A one-stop source of information on the existing experiential learning projects, such as the present Handbook, would be a tremendously valuable resource — one that would allow the future generations of educators to ‘stand on the shoulders of the giants’, learn from the experiences of educators who tried this approach before and use the knowledge to improve and develop new teaching tools.