A Cross‐cultural Comparison of Managerial Styles

This article examines how cultural values influence managerial styles. Differences between Western and Asian cultures are discussed. Managerial practices in companies in Hong Kong that are run by both local Chinese and by Western management are discussed, and compared with American and Japanese style of management. The relative importance of cultural values and the level of industrialisation in the society is considered, and the influence of the level of technology on management style, with particular reference to changes that have taken place in management of Hong Kong enterprises as they have developed, is also discussed. The general conclusion appears to be that the management style is a function of the level of industrialisation, but is tempered by cultural characteristics.