Rutgers Surveys Sociocultural Implications of Chinese Presence in U.S. Labor Market
Rutgers Business School’s blog recently published an article by Robert Froman, surveying the “managerial, organizational, legal, and cultural dynamics and implications” of the growing Chinese presence in U.S. labor market.
These concerns are the foundation of ongoing research led by management and global business Professor Chao Chen, along with Rutgers Law Professor Ji Li; Rutgers Management and Labor Relations professor Mingwei Liu; and Georgia State International Business Professor Leigh Anne Liu.
Chen’s research group is particularly interested in what makes the United States such a lucrative and desirable market for Chinese investment, which the Rhodium Group recently clocked at just above $15 billion.
“Chinese companies coming to the U.S. are attracted by America’s stable social political environment, legal protections, and American companies’ leadership in organizational as well as product and technological innovations,” Chen notes in the article.
Case in point: Refrigerator and AC manufacturer Haier, whose headquarters are located in Wayne, just a stone’s throw from Rutgers’ main campus.
Chen makes a point of addressing the chasm between Chinese and American customs that is often difficult to navigate. Management and Labor Relations professor Mingwei Liu elaborates:
“[Chinese] employees usually don’t want to have conflict with their managers or company unless they have decided to leave the company. But if American workers have complaints they often raise those issues with the company.”
The factors that contribute to success on the global market – “talent development, productive innovation, and professionalism” – often conflict with the Chinese system that “relies heavily on personal relationships.” Not to mention issues of pay scale, which leave much to be desired for both sides.
Chen believes the timing of his team’s research is fortuitous: “Chinese companies are also contributing to job creation and the socio-economic well-being of American employees.” Only time will tell what insights can be gleaned from Chen and co. to bridge the cultural margins. Perhaps Bon Jovi’s next record will be sung in Mandarin.
About the Author
Jonathan Pfeffer
Jonathan Pfeffer joined the Clear Admit and MetroMBA teams in 2015 after spending several years as an arts/culture writer, editor, and radio producer. In addition to his role as contributing writer at MetroMBA and contributing editor at Clear Admit, he is co-founder and lead producer of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast. He holds a BA in Film/Video, Ethnomusicology, and Media Studies from Oberlin College.
