comparative value priorities of chinese and new zealand

� clean and green but complacent,
� honest but not very worldly wise,
� being laid back, but with connotations of lazy and lackadaisical,
� having a business culture that is perceived as high in human values and low in
business acumen.
The being laid back with connotations of lazy and lackadaisical perceptions appear to
relate to Schwartz’ value dimension of Hedonism, relating to the emphasis one places
on self indulgence and engaging in pleasurable behaviours, discussed further in
subsequent chapters.
The Nielsen survey research company interviewed business people and journalists in
Australia, China, Japan, the UK and the USA concerning behaviour of NZ
businesspeople. A comment concerning doing business in Australia, a New Zealand
manger working there stated, “…New Zealand’s modesty… is what is preventing us
from getting more business in Australia.” This lack of aggressiveness in the
international marketplace is widely viewed as a problem. In Japan and China, NZ
businesspeople are seen as half-hearted. In the USA and UK, they’re seen as lacking
hunger. NZ businesses are not seen as strong business partners because they appear to
not be committed to the market for the long term, and are seen as unsophisticated in
business practice. These comments call for a development of an in-depth understanding
of New Zealand business values and leader behaviour and investigating prescriptions
for improvement in global context. One focus of this study will be on causes of the
perceptions of New Zealand businesspeople by Chinese.
PURPOSE AND VALUE OF THIS RESEARCH PROJECT FOR THE STUDY OF THE
CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Bartlett and Ghoshal (1994), Hofstede (2001), and House, Hanges, Javidan, Dorfman
and Gupta (2004), amongst a host of others, have discussed the development and effects
of globalisation, that is, the increasing inter-connectedness of businesses in one country
with business in others, and specifically the competencies needed by managerial leaders
in such an environment. Basic competencies include having an open mind and an
understanding of their own cultures and the cultures of different countries. I will attempt
to enhance the understanding of the international business environment.
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