Danny Woosik Choi
Texas Tech University

Josh Pate
James Madison University

This study analyzes an American hotel expatriate’s view on Chinese culture and proposes different perspectives on cultural dimensions (Hofstede, 1981; 2001), management philosophies (Baird, Lyles, & Wharton, 1990), and implications for diversity in the hospitality business. Data were collected through an in-depth interview with a key informant from the Chinese business culture within the hotel industry. Findings reveal that Chinese business culture is more focused on individual identity (i.e., who the person is) rather than organizational representativeness (i.e., what organization the person represents). Additionally, findings reveal Chinese business culture within the hotel industry focuses on the umbrella concept explaining “power distance” and bureaucratic behaviors (i.e., formality and rigidity) and influences toward a person’s attitude. These findings provide a chance to extrapolate different aspects of the cultural dimensions and management philosophies within the evolving Chinese culture. They can also suggest pragmatic hospitality managerial implications such as updating specific manners and etiquette and abolishing stereotypes in interacting with Chinese customers and business partners.

Keywords: Culture, China, the United States, power distance, managerial philosophies, hospitality business, American, hotel, Chinese