Asias Global Future in Business Culture - Essay Example

Asia’s Global Future in Business Culture Forces associated with globalisation, which is the result of the coming together of peoples fromdistant lands through progress in technology, have been changing cultures, business organisations and the manner in which business is carried out all over the world. For the first time in the long history of humanity, business people are now able to communicate with each other instantaneously, exchange ideas and operate relatively freely in foreign lands. The Asian continent has amazed many around the world with its ability to deliver highly impressive economic performance despite great odds. However, despite the impressive economic and export performance of countries from the Asian region, Asia has received much criticism about its peculiar business culture that is said to rely on business networks such as guanxi in China, keiretsu in Japan and chaebols in South Korea. Western nations have also criticized Asian business culture as not being transparent, corrupt, and nepotistic. Asian business culture is also said to be one in which political interference in business is to be expected. It has been hoped that the business culture of Asia may change for the better as a result of greater interaction between Asia and the rest of the world. The business value system or system of ethics of many of the most successful Asian nations has been greatly influenced by the teachings of Confucianism which has shaped the people and their culture over centuries. Although Confucianism presents excellent moral standards, it has to be realized that business people act on the merits of a situation and many of the evils of the Asian business culture have existed because they have been of benefit to the governing elite and other vested interests. This essay attempts to explore the future of Asian business culture in an age of globalization. Contents Introduction 4 The Business Culture of Asia and the Forces of Globalisation 6 Conclusion 17 Bibliography / References 19 List of Tables and Figures Figure 1 – Map of China showing its Administrative Regions 14 Figure 2 – Map of China Showing its Industry 15 Figure 3 – Map of China Showing its Special Economic Zones 16 Introduction Developments in transport, communication and computer technology have brought the vastly diverse people of the world closer together then they have ever been before and the new global regime of free trade in goods or services has also made it possible for products and services from distant lands to be made available to people all over the globe. These developments have vastly accelerated the process of globalisation, or the coming together of people from around the world, but along with the coming together of different cultures, fear and a keen desire to protect personal and national interests have also meant that the word “foreign” has become synonymous with danger (Rothkop, 1997, Pp. 1). Exposure to new ideas and cultures along with a desire to protect the national interest have shaped the culture of nearly all people around the world to varying degrees and although the process of a gradual opening up has generally resulted in the generation of new ideas and a new hope for humanity, their has also been some resistance to change and cultural clashes around the world. Along with attempts to restrict global trade, nations and groups have also tried to censor the media and to block new ideas and cultures. The more rigid and patriarchal cultures such as those from the Islamic world have tried to protect their value systems from any erosion arising out of contacts with foreign cultures. The world has witnessed a gradual reshaping of societal values and ethics, including the accepted norms for conducting business, or the business culture of a region or peoples belonging to a homogeneous culture. However, the response to the forces of globalisation has been complex and different nations as well as regions have presented a variety of responses that are worthy of consideration because for business people and national governments that want to reap economic benefits, it pays to be informed about complex developments in regions that are economically important. Asia has been described as being one of the most economically vibrant and dynamic regions in the present day and age, with the economic performance of China having amazed nearly every other nation. Prior to China, Japan, South Korea and the nations of the Far East had been a source of amazement and admiration. India too has been said to have a great economic future with an economy that is expected to grow very quickly. Asian business people have demonstrated a unique ability to successfully interact and export Asian goods and services to nearly all nations of the world and Asian immigrants have made a contribution to many nations around the world in many ways. Thus, the Asian continent is amongst the more interesting places in the world that is worthy of investigation, with many mutual benefits that can be expected from interactions with this region. However, just like any other continent, the culture and hence the business culture of Asia is rather unique and different from other national culture that may be more familiar to business people who may be contemplating business interactions with Asia. Asia is a vast continent and even within Asia, there are variations in what have been broadly described as being Asian values. The value systems of Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism etc are different to what a Westerner, who is more influenced by Christian ethics, may have been accustomed to and these value system, together with the cultures that they have influenced, have presented varying responses to the forces of globalisation. Although the past presents the foundation on which the future is built, it is the future that is important because the future is yet to emerge and it is the future that can be shaped by lessons from the past. Hence it is likely to be instructive as well as useful to investigate the future prospects for Asian business culture, which has interested many because Asia has succeeded in presenting successes despite great adversities and handicaps. The most fabulous success stories have emerged from parts of the Asian continent that have been influenced by the value systems of Confucianism, with China, Japan and South Korea having been the star performers in the post Second World War era. This essay attempts to investigate the manner in which the business culture of Asia has been and is likely to be influenced by the forces of globalisation. Tapping the very large and complex Asian market and dealing with business people from Asia requires that the business ethics and value systems of Asia be investigated and considered when dealing with Asians. Asian business people certainly try to understand the business cultures of the places to which they intend to export their manufactured goods or services and it is important for those who want to expand into the increasingly affluent Asian markets, such as that of China, to try and make informed decisions that take into account any positive change or mutual understandings that may have developed as a result of Asian contacts with the rest of the world. The next part of this essay presents a discussion of the manner in which Asians, especially those who have been influenced by Confucianism, do business and how the forces of globalisation have changed the traditional business culture in Asia. Confucianism has been especially considered because it is those who have been influenced by this value system that have been the best business performers in Asia. The Business Culture of Asia and the Forces of Globalisation Globalisation has meant that business actors in Asia are now increasingly enmeshed with the global business systems and although old habits that are embedded in the way in which business is carried out in a country are difficult to break, some sort of change is definitely going to take place as a result of global interactions (Wai-chung Yeung, 2001, Pp. 2 – 10). Asian business, especially business in the most popular emerging market of China, has been predominantly characterized by old business and personal relationships or contact networks that are also known as guanxi in China, keiretsu in Japan and chaebols in South Korea. A tendency to conduct business on a preferential basis through business networks is not just limited to the previously mentioned countries and such tendencies also exist in India, Pakistan and other countries of South East Asia. In Malaysia, a definite preference exists for the indigenous people, who are also called the bumiputras, in the economic redistributive efforts by the state. Thus, business activities in most of Asia are characterized by the formation of vertical and horizontal inter – firm networks that are based on embeddedness in social and business relationships. However, Asian businesses are increasingly being enrolled into what may be called as global actor networks through engagement with global managers and financiers in international finance, interactions with international media, friendships and relationships that were developed during the education and training of Asian managers in Western countries and through processes of interaction with international financial and multilateral institutions. Interactions with actor networks in international finance are one of the strongest forces for change in Asian firms who are in search of capital because these financiers require performance standards if funding is to be provided for any projects that the Asian businesses may be contemplating. Contacts with international media and research related to business activities also have an influence on managerial thinking in Asian firms. Asians who are resident in overseas countries as immigrants are important in Asian networks and even though a complex set of forces act on the networks that dictate the manner in which business in Asia is carried out, it is the self interest of those that are involved in a project or undertaking that ultimately governs what does take place. Despite the contacts and interactions with the West, many political and business people in for instance Malaysia, have been known to shun out Western sentiments when the so called pearls of globalization threaten national and indigenous interests. Thus, interests of actors are most important in dictating business behaviour and it is these interests that have shaped the manner in which business is carried out in Asia, including the working of the Asian business networks. The evolution of a new business culture in Asia is likely to be influenced by the dynamics of business situations, the bargaining between Asians and other actors and the balancing of various commercial interests. Thus, a certain level of uncertainty can be associated with what the future business culture of Asia is likely to be as the forces of globalization and economic reality act on the Asian traditions or the old habit of doing business in the Asian way. The so called “Asian Values” and even “Islamic Values” have often been found to be only an ideal in many countries and these values have taken a back seat to what is required for the protection of economic interests at the individual and at the level of a firm in many Asian countries (Milner, 1999, Pp. 1). Asian ethical and value systems are often hammered into the younger generations so that if possible the ideal can be kept alive, but the reality of the situation is that economic success is far more important an ideal then any ethical, business or cultural value system. As an example, the Islamic and cultural value systems in Pakistan require that the elderly be respected and assisted by the society and the state. However, in reality it has been observed that both the state and the society at large openly exploit the vulnerable and the elderly in an attempt to gain financial advantages, without any regard to the traditional or religious value systems. The same is the norm in business, even though any dealings may be carried out in a courteous atmosphere with some hospitality thrown in to keep other parties interested. Despite the ideology of Asian values, it has been observed that even in the relatively more developed nations of Asia, such as Singapore, corruption, nepotism and favouritism had become endemic as the economies of Asian countries progressed to deliver miraculous performance (Milner, 1999, Pp. “Why Asian Values Cannot be Dismissed”). In Asia, those who had invested reaped the rewards, but the lot of the workers could still be made better. An authoritarian rule in which those in power and authority refused to listen to those over whom they had power resulted in a lack of an ability to innovate and most Asian industry thrived only on being able to provide cheap labour for multinationals who manufactured products for exports to nations which had to accept such exports in an era of free trade. However, such exports could only be sustained if their were no political pressures on the multinationals from countries that were the recipient of such exports and competition from other Asian countries that provided even lower operating costs for multinationals could be avoided. The opening up of China with a huge domestic market and amongst the lowest operating costs meant that many other Asian countries such as Malaysia and Singapore could now suffer from a lower ability to attract foreign investment (Ljungwall, 2005, Pp. 4 – 15). Thus, business networks still continued to play a part and a greater transparency as well as honesty in business was not forthcoming. As has been previously mentioned, the ethical values of Confucianism have had an impact on the manner in which business is carried out in the most economically dynamic regions of Asia, including China, Japan and South Korea. Within Asia, the influence of Confucianism has been so profound that it has characterized Chinese culture and since the early 1980s, Confucianism has aroused a considerable interest in both East and West as people all over the world attempt to understand the Asian economic miracle (Arcodia, 2003, Pp. 7).The ethical teachings of Confucianism include values such as Li: which includes ritual, propriety, etiquette amongst other things, Hsiao: love within the family including love between the parents and children, Yi: righteousness, Xin: honesty and trustworthiness, Jen: benevolence, humaneness towards others; the highest Confucian virtue, Chung: loyalty to the state, etc. Like all other major religions of the world, there are rituals and practices associated with Confucianism (Chan 2003, Pp. 1 – 10). However, Confucianism places the merchant classes as being lower then other social classes such as scholars, soldiers and administrators etc because trading is about the seeking of profits through buying and selling and Confucianism urges its followers to avoid profit seeking as much as possible. Confucianism expects the rulers of a state to promote economic activity and does not want that merchants should become too powerful as a result of their profit seeking activities, which are required to be regulated by the state. Confucianism requires that individuals sacrifice their self - interest for the combined good of the society. However, when we speak of Confucianism today, we note how entrepreneurs have to struggle with the pressures of aggressive capitalism. In the face of these pressures, what can we expect from Confucian ethics? No state endorses Confucian schools or claims to follow Confucian teachings. The Confucian literati are almost irrelevant in contemporary affairs. The Singapore government is often said to be embracing Confucianism, but it owes much of its success to a legal system that protects property and trade. This has little to do with Confucian values. Yet the question of business ethics, including the lack of it, has become increasingly important. Unethical behaviour is of great concern among those who believe that good business practice is essential in global markets. There are, of course, many who are sceptical that businessmen can be trusted to be ethical in a highly competitive world. However, businesspeople are after all a product of a society and a culture, with the result that some of the most distinguished business people from Asia are most likely influenced by the predominant culture and religious value systems of Asia. Confucianism is the religious doctrine which has influenced some of the more successful business people in Asia (Koehn, 2004, Pp. 1). Nations enact laws in order to control and regulate commercial activity and it is these laws that have an influence on business culture in addition to religious or cultural traditions. However, laws are rather blunt and rigid instruments put into place by legislators who themselves may not be ethical or decent people. Laws can be enacted for purely selfish reasons without any consideration for decency, morality, religious and cultural traditions. Hence, even though laws are available as a last resort to gain what justice is possible from courts after long struggles and expenditure of vast sums of money, business people, who are also under the scrutiny of other members of their community, usually do what a situation requires. However, the concept of what is good and what is wrong does come from some sort of religious doctrine and hence Asian business people too are likely to behave in a manner that they consider to be fair and equitable for all when confronted with business situations. Confucianism is not an ideology or philosophy that is implemented by fear of the divine but rather a collection of values which is kept in place by a dynasty or a government. If corruption enters into the system and moves on to the top echelons of the business or organization then it is likely that the whole organization will be corrupted as the divine is not watching to inflict punishment or reward. Confucianism attempts to impose what is considered to be good on a society through the concept of shame that comes into play when a society ostracizes a member if their conduct is unacceptable. The realisation that the values associated with Confucianism are good and will work for the benefit of the whole may result in corrective forces coming into play in order to prevent such disorientation from taking place (Chan 2004, Pp. 1). The process of globalisation presents new situations as business people from within and out of Asia interact with each other, with exposure to new technology, goods, services or novel business projects bringing about new situations that will be resolved on the basis of self interest as well as sensitivity for the values of different cultures, traditions and religious values. Governments will continue to enact laws from time to time in order to regulate commerce and to protect the national interest, but a modus operandi and proper manner of dealing with new situations will be established by business people and this will result in the establishment of precedents that will gradually mould the business culture of Asia. Every region in the world has unique ways of doing business and so also does Asia. Although the Western demands for having a business culture that is free from corruption, open and transparent as well as devoid of any influence arising out of relationships is in accordance with the business culture of the West and perhaps such demands are in the interest of the West, Asian business too has been shaped by the force of circumstance in which, perhaps, the governments have lacked a will to do a proper job of putting in place legal structures that were fair or which could permit adequate monitoring and regulation of business due to the selfish economic interests of the ruling classes or societal elites. Once a business culture has been created, it is difficult to change the mindset that exists. Globalisation does result in the criticism of existing business culture by outsiders and it is to be hoped that such criticism is constructive with the aim of ensuring that any wrong practices are corrected. Those who criticise will also learn new ways of doing business, but it can only be hoped that the better business practices will prevail as Asians and outsiders investigate the business practices and culture practised by each other. If corrupt practices exist and are criticised by outsiders, then either the corruption will be lessened or there is a danger that the outsiders will adopt the corruption by learning it from Asians. Thus, it is important for business people to try and adopt practices that are fair and righteous rather then for them to succumb to what is evil in their business dealings. However, unfortunately business is about generating profits and unless there is an understanding that honest and fair business practices do bring about benefits, business people may try to adopt what is the most profitable solution in a particular situation. An outsider who is too vocal in criticising Asians and their business culture may find that they loose business to others who may be far more accommodating and concerned more with profits rather then what is right or fair. Thus, it can only be hoped that the impact of globalisation on Asian business culture and the business culture in other regions is going to be positive, without any undesirable practices being transferred to other cultures. If this is to happen, then it is necessary that good business people and the regulators of business stand up for what is right, in the hope that doing so will produce a righteous business culture that will be lasting. Multinational companies and those who have invested in Asia have tried to positively influence the creation of a fairer business culture and their efforts have resulted in some positive results because Asia needed financial investments and was willing to change so that it could receive investments. However, it can be difficult to change what is wrong in an entrenched culture and despite the efforts, nepotism, corruption, political interference and other wrongs still persist because they suit the ruling classes, the bureaucracy and other vested interests. What is wrong with the Asian business culture has survived over centuries because it was of benefit to the rulers and the societal elites. Any attempt to correct wrongs is certainly going to meet resistance because doing what is right is likely to diminish economic benefits for those who are the social elites. Hence, it is expected that Asian business culture will certainly change for the better as a result of globalisation, but any change is likely to be a gradual change and positive change will depend on how foreign business partners engage with Asia along with the perceptions that may exist in regard for a need to change. Despite the fact that many Asians, especially those with a background in Confucianism, are more inclined to adopt Western culture and value systems, it is unlikely that Asia will become totally westernised (Backman, 2001, Chapters 1 – 3). Studies have indicated that foreign business people who enter new markets or establish manufacturing operations in foreign countries tend to rely more on local subsidiaries of firms from their own country and try to establish operations in close proximity to each other (Aoyama, 1999, Pp. 223 – 240). This is especially true of the Japanese firms and even Western firms are more likely to do business with other firms from their own region, if these firms have established offices in regions in which such firms operate. Thus, it is very likely that Asian countries with foreign investors in close proximity to each other in industrial zones will have a greater impact on how business is carried out in these zones and it is very likely that a predominantly “foreign” business culture may evolve within these areas. However, it has to be realised that Asia is a vast continent and even countries within Asia, such as China, are not homogeneous markets but the national market consists of highly differentiated regional markets with their own traditions and culture (Hoguet, 2004, Pp. 1 – 5) and (Ferguson, 2002, Pp. 4 – 26). Thus, although globalisation may have a local impact, it is very unlikely that a vast country such as China will have its entire business culture transformed within a short span of time into something that is radically different from what it has been over the past centuries. China is a huge country which has mostly attracted foreign investment in its Eastern administrative regions. The government of China has established special economic zones into which most of the foreign investment has been poured. It is the Eastern administrative regions of China that are of the greatest importance to the foreign investor as is obvious from the maps that have been presented in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Even though it is likely that the impact of globalisation will be felt in the Eastern provinces of China, the effects of any change will take a long time to filter into the vastness of the rest of the country. Although exposure to foreign media does bring about new knowledge and ideas, it is unlikely that a whole societal culture can be rapidly changed at the grass roots level merely by viewing foreign media because culture is sustained as a result of the interactions of many different individuals within a society and foreign media may be considered to be more of an interesting oddity then something that can influence the way in which things are done within a culture. Figure 1 – Map of China Showing its Administrative Regions (China Travel, 2006, “China: Administration”) Figure 2 – Map of China Showing its Industry (China Travel, 2006, “China: Industry”) Figure 3 – Map of China Showing its Special Economic Zones for Foreign Investors (China Travel, 2006, “China: Special Economic Zones”) It has been established that managers from Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore, are more likely to place a greater emphasis on generating profits for the firm that they work for, rather then placing an emphasis on corporate responsibility (Yong, 2005, Pp. 19 – 20). Also, many managers who interact with their foreign counterparts do attempt to try and accommodate cultural differences. Thus, even though globalisation unleashes forces of change, the human tendency to accommodate for cultural differences and to try and compensate for cultural differences slows down any radical changes in the business culture of a region. Conclusion From the previous discussion, it may be concluded that although globalisation is likely to bring about a gradual change in Asian business culture, it is highly unlikely that the Asia, which consists of many different cultures, religions and schools of thought can be radically changed as a whole. Americans still have a unique culture and for that matter a business culture despite being exposed to the attention and criticism of business people, governments and religious groups from all over the world. The way in which things are done in a country or a homogeneous culture have been shaped over prolonged periods of time and business culture also includes components that are of benefit to vested interests in a society along with religious values that are guarded with great zeal. Hence, although the forces of globalisation are likely to bring about greater understanding and perhaps some good ideas, any change in Asian business culture is likely to be far more gradual. 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