Corporate and national culture ‐ an irreconcilable dilemma for the hospitality manager?

Attempts to establish whether the corporate culture of an organisation can be effectively transferred to a country where a strong national culture exists. Investigates the influence and effects of the national culture in the People’s Republic of China on the work environment and the employees of international hotel companies operating there. Uses the ITT Sheraton Corporation’s Great Wall Sheraton Hotel as a specific case study, but draws on other research conducted in similar joint venture hotel properties. Sutton (1995) demonstrates that hospitality operations in China are predominantly occidental, while both the labour force and the prevalent customer base are overwhelmingly oriental. Ahmed and Li (1996) argue that when different national and organisational cultural values come into contact, conflict tends to emerge. Evidence from both their researches suggests that the “marriage” between Chinese and Western organisations tends to precipitate numerous conflicts. Identifies and illustrates several aspects of Chinese culture which affect the assimilation of a “foreign” corporate culture, and concludes that a strong national culture can have major influences on what happens in the workplace.