Workshop 2 (half day)
Managing in the Middle Kingdom: Using Culturally Informed I-O Psychology Practices in China
Presenters: Donald D. Davis, Old Dominion University
Kai-Guang (Carl) Liang, C&D Management Consulting, Shanghai
Ying (Leeann) Liu, Renmin University, Beijing
Coordinator: Rob Schmieder, Schmieder & Associates
China has one of the world’s fastest growing economies. This growth has been significantly fueled by investment from Western firms. The ability of Western firms to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities available in China requires adaptation of their management practices to fit cultural and social conditions. This workshop will describe how Western firms can be successful in China by providing: (a) a review of the Chinese and English language literature devoted to I-O practice in China, (b) examples of effective and ineffective I-O practices, and (c) discussion of Chinese cultural characteristics relevant to successful I-O practice. This workshop will discuss Chinese state enterprises, Sino-foreign joint ventures, Western owned enterprises, and their differences. It will discuss how to work successfully with Chinese enterprises as well as Western firms with operations in China. This workshop is designed for practitioners and researchers interested in better understanding the practice of industrial and organizational psychology in China.
The workshop is designed to help participants:
• Recognize important Chinese cultural characteristics
• Develop I-O practices that are effective in China
• Implement I-O practices that are effective in China
• Work successfully with Chinese and Western companies with operations in China
Donald D. Davis is a professor of I-O psychology and Asian studies at Old Dominion University. He began working in China in 1985. He has been a visiting professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and Fulbright Professor of Management at Wuhan University, one of China’s oldest and most prestigious universities. He has also lectured at Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University, Institute of Psychology in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Szechuan University, Jiao Tong University, and Zhejiang University, among others. He has consulted and conducted research with more than 100 organizations throughout China and Asia, Europe, and North America. He has worked with Chinese state enterprises, Sino-foreign joint ventures, and Chinese private enterprises. In addition to his work as an I-O psychologist, he teaches taijiquan (tai chi) and qigong, ancient Chinese systems of psychophysiological self-regulation, at Tidewater Tai Chi Center in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. He received his BA in psychology and sociology and MA in psychology from Central Michigan University and PhD in psychology from Michigan State University.
Kai-Guang (Carl) Liang is the managing director and senior consultant of Shanghai C&D Management Consulting and the executive director of the Chinese Leadership Consortium. He previously worked as the chief representative and the deputy general manager in the Personnel Decisions International (PDI) Shanghai office. Prior to PDI, he worked as a consultant at AT&T’s Sourcing & Selection Group and as a research associate at Development Dimensions International (DDI). He was a lecturer and director of the human resource management program at Renmin University of China. He has extensive management consulting experience working with many Chinese enterprises, Sino-foreign joint ventures, and Western firms throughout China. He was one of the first to use assessment centers with senior executives in Chinese organizations. He received his BS in psychology and MS in managerial psychology from Zhejiang University, MA in psychology from Central Michigan University, and PhD in I-O psychology from the Old Dominion University.
Ying (LeeAnn) Liu has over 10 years training and experience in the HR field including work as an HR manager at BorgWarner’s joint venture in Beijing, where she practiced selection, performance appraisal, and training. She has conducted several studies of Chinese HR management practices, personality, and teamwork. She is currently working in Beijing as an assistant professor of human resource management at Renmin University of China. She received her PhD in I-O psychology from Old Dominion University.
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