The multiple layers of a transnational “imagined community”: the notion and reality of the ethnic Chinese business community

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511778100.004

3 - The multiple layers of a transnational “imagined community”: the notion and reality of the ethnic Chinese business community

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2010

Heidi Dahles

Edited by

Marie-Laure Djelic and

Sigrid Quack

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Marie-Laure Djelic: Affiliation:
ESSEC Business School, France
Sigrid Quack: Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institute, Cologne

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Summary

Introduction

In this chapter I shall critically explore the notion and reality of a transnational Chinese community and its role in transnational business activity. Chinese businesspeople, whether of mainland or diasporic background and operating in the global economy have been constructed as a close-knit and far-flung transnational community (cf. Redding 1990; Castells 1996; Weidenbaum and Hughes 1996; Ong and Nonini 1997; Suryadinata 1997; Douw 1999; Ong 1999; Chan 2000; Yeung and Olds 2000; Yeung 2002; Coe et al. 2003; Gomez and Hsiao 2004). Ethnic affiliation and cultural affinity have been regarded as principles organizing flows of capital, goods, knowledge, and people within this transnational community and across national borders, superseding national differences. Management gurus such as Kotkin (1993) have identified ethnic ties – allegedly more sentiment-based than other forms of social relations – as key to Asian business success. Ethnic Chinese businesses in particular are regarded as spearheads of Asia's economic growth, as well as a major global force. As the story goes, the large Chinese diaspora, with its global presence, enjoys special privileges when it comes to business ventures across national borders in general and into mainland China in particular. Coupled with a capacity for hard work and trust based on a Confucian value system that honors blood ties and (ritual) kinship, the Chinese business community seems to be a distinguishing feature of Chinese in contrast to Western capitalism, and to have engendered economic success where others have failed (Redding 1990).

Type: Chapter
Information: Transnational Communities
Shaping Global Economic Governance
, pp. 57 - 81

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511778100.004 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2010

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