The Meaning of Work in Chinese Contexts: A Comparative Study

This article explores the meaning of work patterns for working populations in two Chinese contexts, namely Hong Kong and Beijing. Five core meaning of work variables are measured and related to the socio-cultural and political-economic environments in the two locations. The analysis suggests some ar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of cross cultural management : CCM 2003-08, Vol.3 (2), p.139-165
Main Authors: Westwood, Robert, Lok, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitudes to work
China
Chinese
Comparative analysis
Comparative studies
Corporate culture
Culture
Economic conditions
Economic development
Job satisfaction
Management
Motivation
Political economy
Social conditions
Socioeconomic factors
Studies
Variables
Work ethic
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Summary:This article explores the meaning of work patterns for working populations in two Chinese contexts, namely Hong Kong and Beijing. Five core meaning of work variables are measured and related to the socio-cultural and political-economic environments in the two locations. The analysis suggests some areas of similarity but also significant differences in meaning of work patterns. Both Chinese contexts display a high work centrality orientation and a highly pragmatic, instrumental view of work. There are subtle differences in perceived work goal importance and outcome patterns that are in part attributable to different socio-economic conditions.
ISSN:1470-5958
1741-2838
DOI:10.1177/14705958030032001