Theorizing Chinese communication research: a holistic framework for comparative studies

Abstract

This paper aims to develop a holistic theoretical framework for advancing Chinese communication research. It purports to stipulate certain unsettled but critical tasks by consolidating views and lessons learned in both Chinese communication and management scholarship. In attending to the challenges faced by scholars, such as the unavoidable nature of cross-national and comparative studies, the importance of developing a conceptual and methodological framework that allows for valid comparison between context, culture, and communication in China and other countries should be underscored. This paper echoes the growing demands for Chinese communication research to take on more culture-sensitive and context-sensitive perspectives.

Keywords:

• Chinese communication research
• a holistic framework
• comparative studies
• culture
• institution

Notes

^1. A Chinese theory of communication focuses on creating explanations for the existence of Chinese communication phenomena that are uniquely Chinese. In contrast, developing a theory of Chinese communication focuses on applying and refining theories developed elsewhere in a Chinese context (for relevant discussion about the juncture, see Barney and Zhang, 2009).

^2. Barney and Zhang (2009) refer to a Chinese theory of management as a case involving some Chinese phenomena that can only be understood in uniquely Chinese ways, thus suggesting the development of Chinese management scholarship. In contrast, developing a theory of Chinese management puts the emphasis on using the Chinese context as a naturally experimental site as a purpose of testing and refining general management theories developed elsewhere in a Chinese context.

^3. Hofstede (1980) notes that individualism defines self-other relationships from an “individuality perspective”, which maintains an intimate self-family relationship while keeping an ordinary self-other relationship. On the other hand, under collectivism, self is defined from a group perspective to emphasize identification with families, parties, and organizations.