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An Exploration of Chinese Identity in a South African Context: Negotiating Interactions Arising from Guanxi and Mianzi in Business Relationships

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An Exploration of Chinese Identity in a South African Context: Negotiating Interactions Arising from Guanxi and Mianzi in Business Relationships An exploration of Chinese identity in a South African context: negotiating interactions arising from guanxi and mianzi in business relationships by David William Ball Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Intercultural Communications at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Mrs Erica George Faculty of Arts and Social Science Department of General Linguistics March 2015 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own original work, that I am the authorship owner thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Signature: Date: Copyright © 2015 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract This study aims to investigate the identity of Chinese businesspeople in a South African context. This is to determine whether their knowledge of and application of the traditional Confucian concepts of ‘guanxi’ (relationships) and ‘mianzi’ (face) offer that community any tangible benefits to negotiating and maintaining business relationships. While much has been written of the group’s early history, more could be done to determine their contribution toward South African society today. Bilateral trade with China and domestic job creation are just two areas where more research could develop our mutual understanding, given our unique relationship with China. South Africa is the only African country to invest in China and is also home to the largest and longest standing Chinese community in Africa. A self-administered questionnaire was disseminated to previously identified groups of Chines businesspeople located within the metropolitan Cape Town area. The purpose was to collect data that would provide practical assistance to inform local South African business people on how to tailor their approach to interact in commercial enterprises with their Chinese counterparts. The prospect was that better understanding of Chinese culture and historical traditions may prove a meaningful tool to bolster intercultural relationships. This could then lead to enhanced business relationships and a better understanding of this misunderstood and marginalised community. iii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Opsomming Hierdie studie beoog om die identiteit van Sjinese besigheidsmense binne ’n Suid- Afrikaanse konteks te ondersoek. Dit is om te bepaal of hulle kennis asook die toepassing van hulle tradisionele Konfusiaanse konsepte van ‘guanxi’ (verhoudings) en ‘mianzi’ (aansien) hulle gemeenskap enige tasbare voordele ten op sigte van die onderhandeling en instandhouding van besigheidsverhoudings bekom. Terwyl daar alreeds redelike skrywe omtrent hierdie groep se vroeë geskiedenis bestaan, kan daar baie meer gedoen word om vas te stel wat hulle bydrae tot vandag se Suid-Afrikaanse gemeenskap is. Bilaterale handel met Sjina en plaaslike werkskepping is slegs twee areas waar verdere navorsing wedersydse begrip kan bevorder, siende ons unieke verhouding met Sjina. Suid-Afrika is die enigste land in Afrika om in Sjina te investeer en is ook die tuiste van die grootste asook die mees lank bestaande Sjinese gemeenskap in Afrika. ’n Selftoegediende vraelys was versprei onder voorafgeïdentifiseerde groepe van Sjinese besigheidsmense wat in die Kaapstadse metropool gevestig is. Die doel was om data te versamel wat doelmatige bystand kan lewer vir die Suid-Afrikaanse besigheidsgemeenskap om hulle ’n pasgemaakte benadering tot interaksie met handelsondernemings met hulle Sjinese eweknieë te kan gee. Die vooruitsig was dat beter kennis van die Sjinese kultuur en hulle historiese tradisies ’n betekenisvolle instrument sal wees wat interkulturele verhoudings sal versterk. Dit kan dan aanleiding gee tot verbeterde besigheidsverhoudings en ’n beter begrip van hierdie misverstane asook gemarginaliseerde gemeenskap. iv Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements John Ortberg wrote, “Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.” My passion for English was kindled at high school and I owe so much to my teachers, those unsung heroes, who laboured tirelessly, often without seeing the harvest. My passion for life and the journey shared with other pilgrims owes everything to the guidance, fortitude and grace granted to me by my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Grace has been described as undeserved or unmerited favour that ennobles the recipient. How different from the ‘guanxi’ discussed in this paper that stresses reciprocity and the ‘mianzi’ that requires an outward adherence to societal standards. The pursuit of excellence which I’ve come to adopt has been imbued, often subliminally, from the direction, advice and encouragement of fellow sojourners, some of whom I may forget to name here – please know your contribution has been part of my equipping and motivation to attain a measure of influence and in turn, to become a model to others. To start with, I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to: . My supervisor, Erica George, for accepting me as her Master’s student, for her encouragement and support and for all the work she did behind the scenes and against all odds, considering the material she had to work on – I’m grateful to you. Thanks, too, to Mrs Christine Smit, for her wise council, patience and sound practical advice; also, to Stellenbosch University, for the privilege of attending and studying through this venerable institution; I am exceedingly thankful to the following, who have walked that extra mile to assist: . Richard and Bernice Anderson, the pastoral couple from Kommetjie who opened the way for me to engage with the Chinese church on their territory; . Pastors Andrew Chen and Susanne Chen Hsu, of the BOL church, for allowing me to address their congregants and for encouraging them to volunteer to participate in and assist with this study; v Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za . Principal Liu of the Chinese Language School in Observatory, Cape Town for granting me access to approach the parents of her students to participate similarly in the survey; and to Treasurer Chuan of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce for endorsing my research project; . All the respondents who voluntarily participated in the survey, without whose cooperation and input the research would not have been possible – thank you for returning your questionnaires timeously – may your businesses flourish and provide abundantly for the futures of your families; . Emma Lichia Lee and Michael Xaoyi Zhu, for participating in the pilot study – thank you for your helpful insights that contributed to the final survey questions; for acting as facilitators (gatekeepers) to the respective respondent groups, and when the occasion demanded, for being able and willing translators; . Dr Dave Walker who proofread and gave insightful comments on the Literature Review chapter – bless you and thanks for your time. Special thanks to: . The King of Kings Baptist Church in Sun Valley, for their ongoing support and encouragement over many years and to all those sponsors and well-wishers who sowed financially and prayerfully into the future harvest; . To family and friends whose intercessory prayers carried me and sustained me through the darker times of anxiety, doubt and discouragement; . Finally, to Xi’an Medical University for the opportunity to teach in China, to my learned colleagues and the students who inspire me to rise above the ordinary, to seek the exemplary: thank you. The Lord bless you and Keep you. vi Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Dedication To Ross and Christine Paterson, who have exemplified the finest examples of servant leadership – I salute you and hope to emulate your integrity, humility and passion for the people you seek to serve, for the standards you have set and the legacy you have built for those who would choose to follow. vii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Table of Contents Declaration………………………………………………………………………….....ii Abstract……………………………………………………………………………….iii Opsomming………………………………………………………………………...…iv Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………....v Dedication…………………………………………………………………………....vii List of Figures…...…………………………………………………………………..xiii List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………xv List of Abbreviations…………………………………………………………….….xvi Writing Conventions………………………………………………………………..xvii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM... 1 1.1 Research Statement .............................................................................................. 2 1.2 Research Question ................................................................................................. 3 1.2.1 The Primary research question .......................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Secondary questions .......................................................................................... 3 1.3 Research Objectives .............................................................................................. 4 1.3.1 Understand reasons ........................................................................................... 4 1.3.2 Provide insights ................................................................................................
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