Our world is small, but its people are so different that this small world seems to be very bright, colorful and fantastic. So our continents are, because all peoples’ cultures are bright and unique, and they make our world different.
Cultures and Values in East Asia
Everything connected with people’s life and activity – cooking, raising children, studying, worship, work, taking care of the elderly – needs a special approach to do all things properly: understanding each other, interacting or both.
Asia Pacific countries are also original and unique like their peoples’ customs, traditions and behaviors.
Yes, in Asia Pacific countries, peoples’ cultures – their customs, traditions and behaviors – are original and unique.
Relations in families, groups and corporations, as well as relations in the business, scientific or religious circles, are founded on the Asians’ adherence to ethnic roots, traditions and national languages.
Generally speaking, peoples’ relations are based on values. They are cultural, moral and ethical values which create the basis of personal, social and economic transformations in this region.
The system of values enables Asian people to save their identity – their cultures, mentalities, traditions, national languages and religions.
Asia Pacific Values and Their Sources
East Asian values are based on principles of the Confucius ethic and political doctrine, ideas of Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto and Samurai philosophy. They are sources of Asia Pacific values.
According to Confucius, harmonious society depends on strict following prescribed norms of traditions, etiquette and self-improvement. Societal structure is determined by the Ruler’s power which is sacred and given by Heaven. People are divided into “noble men” and “small folks”, and in the relationships between them severe hierarchy and strict discipline dominate. Education is considered to be the only way to raise through the ranks. The world is learnt by means of self-cognition, so self-improvement is among people’s greater ambitions.
This doctrine is near to the Buddhism study, in accordance to which every human has to go along his way of redemption to the virtuous life, self-cognition and non-resistance to evil.
Also, widely spread in China conception of Taoism is devoted to human’s way according to Tao (logos or a way to alter space) and in harmony with nature and natural development of things.
Shinto, on the contrary, appeared in Japan. Its ideas proclaim that nature is deified, so everything in the world is endowed with mind and holiness. Shinto cultivated deities, ancestors and a family. It is Shinto, which laid paternalism as foundation of the family relations in East Asia.
In addition to the above sources of Asia’s values, such concepts as honor, faithfulness, discipline, politeness, modesty and courage came to be main principles of the Japanese samurais’ life and activity.
Moral and cultural values of Asia mainly expanded into its North East area and started to influence all spheres of people’s life.
How are values of East Asia transformed in business? – To answer this question means to learn how to associate, cooperate and do business in the Asia Pacific countries.
The Rise of East Asia Economies
In the closing years of the 20th, policymakers stated the fact that global power has shifted from Europe and America to the East. The rise of East Asia was accompanied by unprecedented success of Asian economies.
That happened due to the following factors:
- Free-market, export-oriented economies
- Science and technologies
- Meritocracy
- Pragmatism
- A culture of peace
- The rule of law
- Education
- Geopolitical closeness.
The success of Asian economies is ascribed to national identity the Asians managed to save. They avoided undergoing influence of westernization, so their cultures, national languages, religions, original traditions and customs remained untouched.
It is obvious that Asian countries differ from each other, as well as all their peoples do. What unites them? What is there on the basis of Asia’s success? – They are values, which are moral and cultural ideas dominating, governing and improving people’s acts and conduct.
To Associate, Cooperate and Do Business in the Asia Pacific Countries according to Their Peoples’ Values
Asian system of values is a source, which enables the Asians to unite, renew and withstand crises, pressure, interference or impact of any kind from outside. No doubt, the world lives according to common values, but Asia’s peoples have some specific ones.
In his “Ballad of East and West”, Rudyard Kipling used this old English proverb:
“Oh, East is East, and West is West,
Andnever the twain shall meet…”
These words are often used to show that there could not be anything common between the West and East. Also people repeat these words to stress differences between cultures, mentalities, traditions or behaviors.
But nowadays, the West learns how to interact with the East overcoming cultural and psychological barriers otherwise partnership in all spheres can be a complete failure.
In other words, people learn the East Asia peoples’ values in order to understand their mentality and cooperate in business with them effectively.
What Should Foreign Business People Do to Cooperate with Asia Pacific Partners
No doubt, the world lives according to common values, but Asia’s peoples have some specific ones. Asian system of values is a source, which enables the Asians to unite, renew and withstand crises, pressure, interference or impact of any kind from outside.
So, to do business in Asia Pacific region or cooperate with partners from there, a foreign businessman should:
- Know peculiarities of Asia and Pacific and be aware of peoples’ cultural and moral values
- Compare these values with his\her ones
- Analyze cross-cultural and business interaction in the light of differences and peculiarities existing between his\her people and the East Asians
- Search and select possible options of conduct
- Forecast potential negative or unexpected effects caused by the above mentioned differences
- Choose the appropriate option for better effect.
Our next material will be devoted to some practical situations and analysis.
Очень актуальный контент! Информативно и системно всё изложено – будем использовать этот материал на занятиях со студентами-восточниками и международниками.
СПАСИБО!
И, ждём продолжение.
I like this article very much. It tells about Asian values from history like Confucianism and Buddhism. I learn that people respect family, work hard, and are polite. These values are strong in many countries in Asia. I think foreign people need to know this when they work in Asia. The article is short but very useful.
This website will definitely be quite interesting and very useful to those who is seeking business opportunities and cooperation with companies in Asia Pacific countries. Good luck to the authors of this project in their work.
I found this article very interesting and useful. It explains clearly how values and traditions influence people’s lives in East Asia. I especially liked the part about Confucius and how education and self-improvement are important in society. The text also shows why Asian economies became so strong, which is inspiring. Overall, the article helped me understand cultural differences better and why respect and cooperation are so important in business with Asian partners.
The article is about values in East Asia. It says that people in countries like China, Japan and Korea follow old ideas like Confucianism, Buddhism and others. These ideas teach respect, hard work, family and harmony. The article explains why education and politeness are very important there. It also says that Asian countries became rich not by copying the West, but by keeping their own culture. If you want to do business in Asia, you need to understand and respect their values. I think this article is useful for people who want to work or study in Asia.
I like this article very much. It tells about Asian values from history like Confucianism and Buddhism. I learn that people respect family, work hard, and are polite. These values are strong in many countries in Asia. I think foreign people need to know this when they work in Asia. The article is short but very useful.
This article is very easy to reading. The text tells about Asian culture, traditions and values. I learned that Confucius, Buddhism and Shinto are very important for East Asia. It is good that Asian people keep their history and national identity. I think values like respect, family and education are very important for all people. The article also explains how culture helps in business with Asia. I enjoyed reading it and I agree with the author.
This article gives a clear and interesting overview of the cultures and values in East Asia and how they influence business and society. It explains well the importance of traditions, respect, and mentality in Asia Pacific countries. I think it is useful for people who want to work or have business with Asian partners because it shows differences and advises how to understand and cooperate better.
I found this article very interesting and useful. It clearly explains the influence of values and traditions on the lives of East Asians. I especially liked the section on Confucius, the importance of education and self-improvement in society. It is encouraging that this text shows why Asian economies have become so strong. Overall, this article helped me to better understand cultural differences and why respect and cooperation are so important in Asia countries.
Thanks for the useful article.
Is it correct to compare all East Asia countries in to the one Asia Pacific group?
Isn’t they have much differences between themselves?
This article offers a clear and insightful overview of the core cultural values in East Asia, convincingly linking the region’s economic success to its philosophical foundations in Confucianism, Buddhism, and other traditions. It effectively emphasizes the practical importance of understanding these principles such as hierarchy, harmony, and education for successful business cooperation. While it occasionally generalizes about the diverse Asia-Pacific region, the article serves as an excellent primer, delivering a crucial message: overcoming cultural barriers by appreciating these unique values is essential for effective partnership with East Asian counterparts.
The author correctly writes that in business it is necessary to take into account the cultural characteristics of countries. Some countries may not have the financial mechanisms necessary for close cooperation. It is also necessary to take into account the mentality of the countries. There are mainly conflicts when interacting with Asia Pacific Partners due to differences in business intentions. Of course, such conflicts arise within the country, but when interacting with Asia Pacific, embarrassments can occur especially often – mostly disputes relate to international rules.