Cultural Differences and the Problems They Present to Employees of American Multinational Corporations in China

Cultural Differences and the Problems They Present to Employees of American Multinational Corporations in China

Presenter(s)

Kaimee Knisley

Comments

9:00-10:15, Kennedy Union Ballroom

Description

China and the U.S. have many cultural differences, which often present challenges to American multinational corporations (MNCs) that attempt to operate in China. Furthermore, those cultural differences often present different challenges to different levels of employees, including the executive level, management level, and the workers. Therefore, this paper seeks to answer the question “How have the differences between U.S. and Chinese cultures presented problems for the different levels of employees of American multinational corporations in China as those corporations attempt to adapt to China?” Within the past twenty years, there has been much research done on specific aspects of Chinese culture, American companies’ adaption to China, and U.S. management in China. However, there has been little to no research that seeks to analyze the main problems faced by all levels of employees of American MNCs. Furthermore, the main goal of this paper’s research is to aid in explaining why some American MNCs have been successful in adapting to China and Chinese culture while others have struggled (including Google’s struggle to gain a firm foothold in mainland China). In achieving that goal, this paper could help inform American MNCs of what they should and should not do in order to successfully transition their business, and their employees, into China and Chinese culture. The main research method of this paper is analyzing and cross-referencing studies done on Chinese culture and business with studies done on U.S. businesses’ operations in China, including studies that focus on specific MNCs, such as Walmart and McDonald’s, in order to find major problems presented by U.S.-China cultural differences to employees of American MNCs.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Capstone Project

Primary Advisor

Masha I. Kisel

Primary Advisor's Department

Global Languages and Cultures

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Diversity; Critical Evaluation of Our Times

Cultural Differences and the Problems They Present to Employees of American Multinational Corporations in China

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