An important aspect of establishing yourself in a new place is making connections with others. This section applies the cultural dimensions identified by Hofstede and Trumpenaars to business and social interactions in Hong Kong to help you navigate relationships in a new culture. There are a growing number of people in Hong Kong who are from mainland China, and though they have the same cultural roots, the two cultures have diverged somewhat because of their history. These tips are offered as guidelines, not strict stereotypes, so be sure to keep an open mind as you meet others.
Individualism vs. Collectivism
With a score of 25, Hong Kong is a collectivist culture where people act in the interests of the group and not necessarily of themselves. Individuals view social relationships as highly important, largely due to the influence of Confucianism. Families are the strongest collective and the cornerstone of society, and it is commonplace for family members to work for the same companies that are often, in fact, family-owned. Individuals also live at home until marriage, and aging parents move in with their children’s families (Chow, n.d.). A person’s reputation and standing in society depends on the concept of “saving face,” which depends on following ethical and social norms at all times in all situations and with all people. Because saving face is essential, people strive to maintain group harmony and avoid overt conflict so as not to lose face, as this reflects poorly on an individual’s family as well as the groups to which he or she belongs. Hong Kongers like to keep calm and refrain from showing strong emotions in public and criticizing openly (Communicaid.com, 2017).
The importance of social relationships also means that members of the in-group get preferential treatment over others, that out-group members are treated in a more indifferent or even hostile manner, and that relationships with colleagues have a higher priority over the company that one works for. Communication is also indirect, as group harmony must be maintained and open conflicts avoided (Hofstede, 2017). It is worth noting though, that Hong Kong is becoming more individualistic with time. For many people, the conception of happiness is very personal and individualistic, with good health and money being the top concerns. Also, because Hong Kong is so densely populated, people are often concerned with their own private lives and rarely socialize with their neighbors (Chow, n.d.,)
With a score of 20, China is a highly collectivist culture where people put the interests of their group above their own and, like Hong Kong, social relations are very important due to the strong influence of Confucianism in Chinese philosophy. The concept of “saving face” is also important to the Chinese, so they strive to preserve group harmony and refrain from acting in ways that could put themselves and their in-group in a negative light (Communicaid, 2017). In-group considerations often influence hiring and promotions with closer in-group members (such as family members) getting preferential treatment over others. Employees have little commitment to the organization that they work for, though this low level of commitment is directed at the organizational entity rather than their colleagues whom they may have close connections with. Personal relationships take higher priority over tasks and the interests of the company. Furthermore, while relationships with those in the in-group are highly cooperative, people are often cold or even hostile towards those that are not in it (i.e., of an out-group) (Hofstede, 2017).
Power Distance
With a score of 68, Hong Kong scores high on power distance. A person’s influence is correlated to their ability and contribution to society, and people are subject to organizational hierarchies and being confined to social classes. Those who have higher power tend to increase it, thereby creating more distance between themselves and people with less power. Followers are also expected to follow their leaders’ orders without resistance. Hong Kong is a social class-conscious society, and high-power people like to showcase anything that reflects their standing in society, such as expensive cars and houses.
In organizations, managers dress formally to portray their higher position in comparison to their subordinates. Power distance is also reflected in the various hierarchical levels within organizations, status-relevant occupational and honorary titles, and sizes of offices – the bigger of which are allocated to those with higher status. In small and medium-sized organizations, management practices involve obeying elders who are expected to have wisdom of experience (Chow, n.d.).
At 80, China has a very high score on the dimension of power distance. Such scores are indicative of societies that believe that believe that inequalities amongst people are acceptable, and perhaps even necessary. Relationships between subordinates and their superiors tend to be very polarized, with superiors making decisions and subordinates following orders without opposition. There is also no defense against power abuse initiated by superiors. Individuals are influenced by formal authority and generally are confident and optimistic about the leadership capacity and initiatives of those in power. There is little upward movement, so people should not have aspirations that go beyond their rank (Hofstede, 2017).
Uncertainty Avoidance
Hong Kong has a very low score (29) on the uncertainty avoidance index. This means that adherence to laws and rules is flexible to suit the situation, and pragmatism is likely the go-to approach. People are comfortable with ambiguity, as is demonstrated by the Chinese language which consists of ambiguous meanings that are often difficult for Westerners to follow (Hofstede, 2017).
Hong Kong is characterized as a free-market capitalist economy, with the government adopting a “positive nonintervention” philosophy. Such approaches have enabled the large number of entrepreneurial firms and business start-ups. There are many risk-taking entrepreneurs and a speculative attitude is common among Hong Kongers; however, risks taken are not impulsive, but rather calculated, as individuals recognize the significant rewards that they can obtain from taking risks to start a new business. Interestingly enough, low expenditures in R&D and the reluctance to invest in high-tech industry show that there is still some degree of uncertainty avoidance (Chow, n.d.).
China, at 30, also scores very low on uncertainty avoidance. Truth is relative, though in immediate social circles the ultimate “truth” is sought and rules are common. Nonetheless, like in Hong Kong, adherence to laws and rules are flexible to suit the situation, and novel situations are approached with pragmatism. The Chinese are comfortable with ambiguity and, as previously mentioned, the Chinese language is full of ambiguous meanings that may be difficult for Westerners to comprehend. Also, like in Hong Kong, people are very adaptable and entrepreneurial, with a majority of Chinese businesses being family-owned (Hofstede, 2017).
Masculinity vs. Femininity
With a score of 57, Hong Kong is a somewhat masculine society. It is highly success -oriented and driven, which is exemplified by the fact that most employees spend many hours at work. In fact, Hong Kong is known to be one of the places with the highest average number of work hours per week, with little work-life balance. Students also place high importance on their exam scores and rankings as markers of success (Hofstede, 2017).
Gender roles are more defined in that men are oftentimes the main breadwinners, while women take care of household duties. However, an increasing number of women are joining the workforce. The combination of equal opportunity in both the educational system and the workplace enables women to have a better chance to move into managerial and professional occupations, though the majority of women still hold lower status and lower income jobs (Chow, n.d.).
At 66, China scores higher in masculinity than Hong Kong. People often sacrifice spending time with family and engaging in leisure activities in order to work. Service people will provides services until late at night, and migrant farm workers will leave their families behind in distant places to obtain better work and pay opportunities in other cities. Like in Hong Kong, Chinese students place high importance on their exam scores and ranking, as they are markers for success (Hofstede, 2017).
Long-term Orientation
With a score of 61, Hong Kong is a culture with a long-term orientation, in which people believe that the truth is a function of the context, situation, and time (i.e., pragmatism is a fact of life). They adapt their traditions and behavior easily to new conditions, have a strong desire to save and invest, are thrifty, and persevere in achieving results (Hofstede, 2017). They engage in these behaviors because people do not have much confidence in the future, and so try to prepare themselves for it in the best way they possibly can (Chow, n.d.).
China has an even higher score of 87 in long-term orientation, which means that its culture is very pragmatic. Like in Hong Kong, the Chinese people approach situations and ideas in a pragmatic manner, as they believe that the truth is a function of context, situation, and time.
Indulgence
At 17, Hong Kong has a very low score on the indulgence dimension, meaning that that the culture is highly restrained, in areas such as behavior and speech. People have a tendency to view situations through a cynical and pessimistic perspective in which things are “the way they are.” Leisure time and desire gratification are not prioritized, and individuals believe that their actions are restrained by social norms, and therefore, avoid indulging their desires because it is “wrong” (Hofstede, 2017).
China scores higher than Hong Kong on indulgence with a score of 24, but is clearly still a highly restrained culture. Like Hong Kong, people are restrained in areas such as behavior and speech. Leisure time and desire gratifications are not of high priority, and people actually refrain from indulging themselves because they believe they their actions should not go against social norms (Hofstede, 2017).
Universalism vs. Particularism
In Hong Kong, there is a blend of universalism and particularism. Those in the older generation tend to have a more particularist mentality, prioritizing relationships over the enforcement of rules. Meanwhile, members of the younger generation emphasize rules and regulations, and place great importance on finalizing contracts as quickly as possible (Li, 2009).
China is a particularist culture that prioritizes relationships over the enforcement of rules and regulations. Each particular situation and relationship is considered separately from others. People believe that there are “several perspectives to reality, and trustworthiness comes with the recognition of mutual affinity” (Haslund & Nielsen, 2008).
Individualism vs. Communitarianism
Hong Kong is a communitarian society, where common goals are set up for the collective group to meet and joint responsibility is assumed for all successes and failures. In an organization, company morale and cohesiveness are emphasized, and decisions are made jointly. The organization is believed to be a social context that is shared by all of its members and is given the role of giving meaning and a sense of purpose to its members (Haslund & Nielsen, 2008).
In communitarian societies, there is a focus on leaving a legacy for the community and for individuals to have a larger purpose outside of themselves. Such societies usually have higher levels of productivity (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998).
Like Hong Kong, China is also a communitarian society, where common goals are set up for the collective group to meet and joint responsibility is assumed for all successes and failures. Chinese students, for instance, have the expectation that professors will achieve harmony on which long-term relationships can be built, and it is usually more important how a professor says something to a student rather than what the professor actually said (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998).
Neutral vs. Affective
Hong Kong and China are neutral societies, where people feel that they do not have to openly display their feelings, and therefore try to keep them controlled and hidden from public view, until they explode in stressful situations (Binder, 2016). Cool and collected conduct is admired, statements are usually read out monotonously, and physical contact is minimal (Haslund & Nielsen, 2008).
Specific vs. Diffuse
Hong Kong and China are similarly diffuse cultures, where relations with others tend to be aimless and ambiguous. Evasiveness and ambiguity are desirable traits in situations where it means being tactful instead of blunt, allowing others to interpret through their own personal judgment. Morality is context-specific and depends on the people involved (Haslund & Nielsen, 2008). People tend to be detached except when they allow outsiders to enter their private lives, after which they are very open and trusting (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, 1998).
Achievement vs. Ascription
Hong Kong and China both lean towards being more ascription-oriented cultures, where a person’s status within an organization or society is usually derived from their class, gender, age, education, etc. Titles are extensively used to clarify each individual’s status within an organization, and people typically are respectful of authority figures and refrain from challenging them (Balan & Vreja, 2013).
In business settings, middle-aged males who are qualified primarily by their backgrounds are often employed as senior managers (Haslund & Nielsen, 2008). Status also plays a large role in the dynamics of these settings, where it is best to send people of similar status to meet with their counterparts in other organizations.
Sequential vs. Synchronic
Hong Kong has a sequential time system where people pay attention to one thing at a time, meaning that time is linear and moves from the past to the future causing people to compartmentalize tasks in order to concentrate on each task individually. Time is viewed as something that is tangible, which can be “spent,” “lost,” or “saved.” Because of this, it is important to be punctual, stay on schedule, and meet deadlines (Haslund & Nielsen, 2008).
China is a synchronic culture, where the focus is more on human relationships than on staying on schedule. For example, people would rather be late to their next appointment than to suddenly end a meeting, and exceptions are often made for people when they are late. Time is also viewed circularly in order to include the past in planning for the future and is viewed as much less tangible (Haslund & Nielsen, 2008).
Internal vs. external control
Both China and Hong Kong exhibit an external locus of control, the belief that an individual does not have control over his or her external circumstances. Rather he or she must respond to it. People are more pragmatic and are thereby flexible towards what goes on in their environment, while also being more willing to compromise with any changes that arise. Maintaining harmony with one’s environment is essential (Haslund & Nielsen, 2008).
An American Expat's Guide to Hong Kong 