Title: A theoretical comparison of US and Chinese culture and implications for human resource theory and practice

Authors: Baiyin Yang, De Zhang

Addresses: University of Minnesota, Department of Work, Community and Family Education, 1954 Buford Avenue, Room 325K, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

Abstract: This paper proposes a theoretical framework of cross-culture study in organisational behaviour. The framework is then used to compare US and Chinese human resource theory and practice. Chinese managerial philosophy is featured as being centred on social morality, while US managerial philosophy is characterised as technical rationality. Traditional Chinese human resource practice is ruled by human beings while US human resource practice tends to be ruled by law.

Keywords: cross-cultural study; human resource theory; China; USA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2003.003403

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2003 Vol.3 No.4, pp.338 - 358

Published online: 06 Sep 2003 *

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