Chinese History

In Chapter 3, Bissky gives us an overview of Chinese history. Many students have commented about the lack of attention given to China in our school system. I believe last year's group would agree with that assessment. Everyone wished they had more knowledge about Chinese history. Part of this neglect is understandable, after all the opening of China only occurred 30 years ago. The lack of interactions allowed us to ignore the role Western countries had in the Opium Wars and other transgressions in dealings with China.

After the opening, the event receiving the most attention was the Cultural Revolution. Until I started doing research about China I knew little about the precursor to the Cultural Revolution, the Great Leap Forward. Below are a couple of youtube clips on the Great Leap Forward. The information presented corresponds with what I've read on the topic.

As many have noted in the discussion postings, knowing more about Chinese history points out a committment to process sometimes to the detriment of outcomes. We see in these clips a people put in an impossible position. They have to meet unattainable goals or disappoint people in power. Their choices may not be ours, but seeing the choices they make when backed into a corner provides knowledge. Recognizing the deep-seated emphasis on process offers an explanation for what Westerns consider the "trappings" of business transactions. Respecting, if not understanding, the role of process increases the likelihood of postive outcomes in business opportunities.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Pollution

Pollution. You’ll experience it first hand in Beijing. Look closely at the blue sky before you leave Springfield, it will appear even clearer when you return from Beijing. (One of the benefits of traveling is you quickly realize there is no place like home.) In the lead up to the Olympics, Beijing undertook extraordinary measures to reduce pollution: shutting down factories, reducing the cars on the road, and even stopping all construction projects. Last year the MBA group was there before many of the measures were in place and the increased work before the shut down may have led to some of the worst pollution days for the year.

China isn’t the first country to go through an industrial expansion where pollution controls take a backseat. St. Louis’s air quality is better today, but the City Air Pollution Control describes the fall of 1939 – “Day turned into night by pollutants trapped by inversion.” In general, US cities have spent time and money cleaning up the industrial pollution residuals from earlier decades.

In China the problem seems to be intensified by the rapid pace of expansion and because China has been the dumping ground, allowing other countries to clean up. At the national level the Chinese government purports to be concerned about environmental issues. In the most recent Five Year plan for FDI doesn’t allow incentives for industries with excessive pollution (China Law Blog). The national plan is often not followed at the local level. Local government officials want development and will sometimes look the other way to obtain investment. The economic slowdown will reduce the restrictions and incentives for pollution controls.

An interesting article from the Asia Pacific New York Times provides a good overview of the current environmental challenges China faces - Choking on Growth. Additionally, a story last fall on 60 Minutes about electronic recycling or should we say electronic dumping was shocking. Here is a link to the story on the CBS website - The Electronic Wasteland.

China's pollution impacts the world. However, can the world use China for a dumping ground and then complain about the pollution that leaks out? What responsibility do we have in helping to correct the problems?

Learning Chinese

Before my first trip to China I dappled at learning the language. I went through a few levels of a Rosetta Stone program and listened to a few movies in Chinese. I didn't make much progress but I could recognize a few sounds and say "Ni Hao" - Hello and "XieXie"-Thank you. When Drury offered Mandarin I, I enrolled and improved, however, I was not ready for Mandarin II. So, discouraged I gave up. Now with another trip on the horizon, I'm back at the Rosetta Stone program. The language provides so much information about the culture.

One thing I remember from my Mandarin teacher was the idea of location. In the US, when we give location we usually start with the spot we are located and then expand out - 100 E Breech, Drury University, Springfield, MO, USA - in China it is the reverse - USA, Springfield, MO, Drury University, 100 E Breech. Knowing that one piece of information illustrates Hofstede's cultural dimension of individualism vs collectivism. In the US, it is about the individual and then expands to the larger. In China, it is about the group you belong to and then works down to the individual. Learning the language appears to be a crucial part of understanding the culture.

Many free sites for learning some Chinese popped up on the Internet as people prepared to travel for the Olympics. Easy Chinese is one site that is helpful. Check it out at: http://www.cctv.com/program/TravelinChinese_new/01/index.shtml

The Homework Begins

The preparations for the China trip are starting in earnest now. The schedule for the readings we need to do is posted and students are starting to sign up to lead an online discussion on these topics.

Brian stepped up to do the first current event summary and has done a great job. One of the most exciting parts for me will be seeing the different things that people find interesting. It will give me a better idea of things to point out and incorporate in our discussions. Already Brian has pointed out some great information, I loved the high speed train map. I know that initially this sounds like just one more assignment. I believe once everyone starts to do some of the research and talks with each other about what is happening in China the excitement and interest will increase. I don't want it to be a chore, I want it to be something we look forward to each week.

One of the goals of this class is to increase what is commonly called "intercultural competence." Yamazaki & Kayes (2004) define intercultural competence "as the ability to use appropriate interpersonal, informational, analytical, action, and adaptive skills in intercultural situations." We want the the trip to be much more than a vacation to another country. The prep work helps prepare students for interacting in intercultural situations and having students take responsibility for interactions in the business settings reinforces this aspect. It would be easier to just take a quick trip to another country and play tourist - but that is not what this trip is about.

I noticed a video showing the raising of the flag in Tiananmen Square. I am putting an early morning trip to see it in person on my things to do list for this trip.