When culture keeps up with the economy

In the past 30 years, China’s economy has experienced an annual growth of 10 percent

At one time, it was one of the most isolated and underdeveloped economies. Today, China is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic world economies.

But how has this development influenced Chinese culture? This is a question that Professor Verner Worm addresses in the current issue of “International Business Review”, where he is a guest editor.

Students are not afraid to speak their minds

The tendency is that the wealthier a country is, the more individualistic it becomes. As a professor at CBS for, among others, Chinese students, Verner Worm has himself experienced the change in culture.

-Previously, Chinese students were afraid to speak up, but only listened and took notes. Today, they are happy to enter into a discussion in front of the entire class. This was totally unimaginable ten years ago, he says.

China opens up to the outside world

He points to the current situation in China and Myanmar (Burma) as an example of the contrast that exists today between the two nations. In China, international journalists are allowed to enter the country to cover the disaster, while this is far from being the case in Myanmar (Burma).

- The change in Chinese culture is not only because of the economic development, but to a high degree is also because of the fact that China has opened up to the western world, for example, in connection with China’s membership of the WTO. Up until 1979, China was totally closed, says Verner Worm.

A growing group of foreigners in the country also means that the influence between China and the outside world is automatically increasing.

Verner Worm is a guest editor for the special issue of “International Business Review” together with Tony Fang, who is also affiliated with CBS. The issue has been given the title “The Changing Culture and Business Behaviour."

Copenhagen Business Confucius Institute

Verner Worm is Director for the Copenhagen Business Confucius Institute at CBS. The purpose of the institute is to spread knowledge about Chinese language and culture to interested groups inside and outside the business community. The institute, which is under renovation, can be contacted at confuciusinstitut@cbs.dk