Trust building across and within cultures : A study of Guinea, West Africa, and China

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

12-2024

Abstract

Adopting a cross-cultural perspective, this study provides insights into how Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs) with a focus on Confucian values, builds trust and contributes to the globalization process in African settings, specifically Guinea. Using a mixed-methods methodology, we explore the dynamics of trust relationships within and across cultures. In Study 1, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 Chinese supervisors, 20 Guinean supervisors and 19 Guinean workers. We found Chinese expatriates to emphasize ability and integrity in trust building while Guinean workers care more about benevolence. Drawing on the insights of study 1, we proposed a model of interpersonal trust within and across cultures. In this Study 2, data was collected from 182 Guinean workers and their direct Chinese/Guinean supervisors. We found Guinean subordinates’ trust in the organization to mediate between their trust in Guinean supervisors and their performance. In addition, Guinean supervisor’s trust in Chinese supervisor positively affects Guinean subordinate’s trust in organization and also moderates the positive relationship between Guinean subordinates’ trust in the organization and their performance. We draw implications for management relationships between two cultures that are seemingly different from both studies.

Keywords

Cross-cultural management, China, Africa, trust in supervisor, trust in organization

Discipline

Human Resources Management | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

International Journal of Cross Cultural Management

Volume

24

Issue

3

First Page

587

Last Page

607

ISSN

1470-5958

Identifier

10.1177/14705958241285980

Publisher

SAGE Publications (UK and US)

External URL

https://search.library.smu.edu.sg/permalink/65SMU_INST/1ba19kd/cdi_proquest_journals_3125603558

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1177/14705958241285980

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