China is a country with a long cultural history of about 5,000 years. With such a long time, it has formed the typical working culture and business and negotiation culture of the Chinese people.
Understanding Chinese corporate culture is an essential factor if you are planning to work in Chinese corporations and enterprises. This is an important “stepping stone” for employees to adapt to the future working environment.
Unlike European countries, Chinese corporate culture has its own unique features. Let’s explore these characteristics with HUFLIT Career Hub to prepare yourself to be confident and ready for the new working environment.
#1 Hierarchy is very important in China
The management system in Chinese enterprises goes from top to bottom. The traditional hierarchical system believes that “the boss is always right”. Subordinates are not allowed to question or “ask back to the boss”. This is considered disrespectful to superiors.
In the working culture of the Chinese people, as an employee you just need to follow the directions and tasks given by your boss. Coming up with better ideas or initiatives is unnecessary.
Besides, you need to show respect to your boss, absolutely do not publicly criticize superiors. If you are used to the Western working environment, this will make you quite confused
#2 The importance of job titles
Hierarchy in China has a great influence on how employees behave with managers. In Western culture, businesses often pay less attention to the importance of job titles and tend to treat team members as equals.
Conversely in China, job titles are valued more. In meetings, employees tend to respect the vision and ideas of managers and they respect the job title that person holds.
#3 Lunch break culture
In China, taking a lunch break is considered a norm, this culture is quite similar to Vietnam.
The lunch break culture is so standard that colleagues must respect lunch time as well as everyone’s sleeping time. Lights are turned off, curtains are drawn and if anyone makes noise from chatting to watching videos, they will be reminded by their colleagues and even their boss.
#4 Valuing collectivism
The working environment of Chinese enterprises is quite comfortable, everyone in the collective considers each other like a family. After work they can eat together, go to karaoke, play sports or go on trips together during holidays.
You will be encouraged to get to know everyone in the company and they also know all the necessary information about you. Thanks to that, the relationship between colleagues is very good and contributes to increasing work productivity.
Although the working environment is quite comfortable, you need to be careful not to behave too bluntly, causing displeasure to colleagues. Being too blunt or publicly opposing other people’s opinions can be considered rude.
#5 Modesty in the workplace
A concept related to the collectivism of Chinese society is modesty.
Modesty in China has been part of the culture for thousands of years. In business, team success is valued more than individual success and employees tend to be humble when achieving outstanding achievements in the collective, because they do not want to lose so-called “face” in front of colleagues.
#6 Meeting culture
The most important thing in a meeting at a Chinese enterprise is politeness.
This shows that you are an ethical person with professional demeanor and you will also receive respect from others. Therefore, you should prepare well before starting a meeting.
In addition to important contents such as plans and documents, you should also learn in advance about the people you will be meeting with.
Stand up when superiors enter the room. Invite them to sit politely and thoughtfully. Even in case of language barrier, you can still use body language for basic communication.
Chinese people often hold meetings in multiple sessions. Meetings are an opportunity to exchange information, build and strengthen relationships. Decisions are usually made in discussions and by majority vote.
Therefore, when meeting with Chinese people you must be very patient. Because if you are impatient, you will get nothing and even delay it longer. This is a point to note in the corporate culture of the Chinese people.
Hope dear readers will have more useful information about Chinese corporate culture.
HUFLIT Career Hub Editorial Board
Reference source: Hrone, Hrchannels
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