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A review of differences between American and Chinese corporate culture based on CiteSpace software

Zhao Jing Alina Brychko
Abstract

The USA and China, as the world’s two largest economies, exhibit distinct business models that are directly reflected in their corporate cultures. The purpose of this study was to examine the significant differences between Chinese and American corporate cultures from two perspectives: academic achievements and the cultural status of Fortune 500 companies. Among the Fortune 500 companies, American firms tend to emphasise “customer satisfaction” and “employee well-being”, while Chinese enterprises place greater emphasis on “customer focus” but may lack sufficient attention to “employee welfare”, instead promoting “employee dedication”. As for academic achievements, the quantity and focus of academic publications in the USA and China exhibit significant similarities, and both advocate corporate cultures of the American enterprise in the Forbes list. A notable discrepancy was found between the cultural model of Chinese companies ranked by Forbes and their academic accomplishments. The list of top Chinese firms is predominantly large state-owned enterprises, characterised by a corporate culture with pronounced political traits. Politically and economically, the stable labour environment, stability, and excellent benefits provided by state-owned enterprises have resulted in low employee turnover rates. Still, this stability has also led to a widespread neglect of employees’ needs by management. Culturally, the enduring influence of Confucianism has entrenched an internal hierarchy within enterprises, leading employees to be conservative in expressing individual opinions and proposing innovative ideas, often achieving career goals through diligent work and personal sacrifice. Generation Z has progressively emerged as the predominant force within the corporate workforce, placing significant emphasis on personal freedom and value resonance. The current enterprise culture in China is encountering increasingly formidable challenges, rendering the reform of corporate culture both urgent and necessary

Keywords

corporate operation; employees; customers; state-owned enterprises; Confucianism

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Received 10.02.2025, Revised 02.05.2025, Accepted 05.06.2025

Retrieved from Vol. 12, No. 1, 2025

Suggested citation

Jing, Zh., & Brychko, A. (2025). A review of differences between American and Chinese corporate culture based on CiteSpace software. Economics, Entrepreneurship, Management, 12(1), 58-68. https://doi.org/10.56318/eem2025.01.049

https://doi.org/10.56318/eem2025.01.049

Pages 58-68

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