Does China have more than one culture?

This paper empirically compares regional differences in the work-related values of Chinese employees, using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. In terms of individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation, statistically significant differences were found across regions. Shenzhen scored higher on individualism and uncertainty avoidance than did Taiyuan. By contrast, Taiyuan scored higher than Shenzhen on long-term orientation. This regional difference with regard to individualism should not be surprising in light of China’s recent rapid economic development, as economic development is generally positively correlated with individualism. Economic development in shifting from an agricultural to an industrial economy is positively correlated with uncertainty avoidance. These results, as well as the fact that Shenzhen is now becoming China’s most successful economic area as the country experiences a degree of economic liberalization, in part explain Shenzhen’s higher uncertainty avoidance score. In a similar vein, Taiyuan was shown to exhibit a stronger long-term orientation than Shenzhen.

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