Modes of Value Transfer in Chinese Family Business in Malaysia

Authors

  • Su-Hie Ting Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18034/abr.v10i1.460

Keywords:

values, value transfer, family business, succession, Chinese culture

Abstract

The study examined the modes of value transfer from the founder to successors in Chinese family businesses. A case study was conducted involving interview with 19 members of 12 family businesses in business sectors including trading, shipping, timber, newspaper printing, entertainment, and construction. The results showed that value transfer begins even before the founder’s descendants start full-time work in the family business, leading to internalization of values. When the founder’s descendants begin working in the family business, explicit teaching and modeling of values occur, which reinforces values observed earlier. In some cases, values are reinforced through management policies that document the founder’s values and best practices in conducting business. In most cases, the successors are scaffolded into how values guide business decisions when they work full-time in the family business. The findings offer novel information on the modes of value transfer in the Chinese family business.

 

Funding

This work was funded by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia via the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Grant No. FRGS/05(37)/845/2012(85)

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Author Biography

  • Su-Hie Ting, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

    Faculty of Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, MALAYSIA

    Associate Professor Dr Su-Hie Ting teaches academic English and research methodology at the Faculty of Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. She graduated from the University of Queensland with a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics in 2001. Her research interests include language choice and identity, academic writing, communication strategies, and health communication. Email contact: shting@unimas.my, suhieting@gmail.com

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Published

2020-04-30

How to Cite

Ting, S.-H. . (2020). Modes of Value Transfer in Chinese Family Business in Malaysia. Asian Business Review, 10(1), 29-36. https://doi.org/10.18034/abr.v10i1.460

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