Face, Harmony, and Social Structure: An Analysis of Organizational Behavior Across Cultures

Face, Harmony, and Social Structure continues author P. Christopher Earley's investigations of the differences among people within organizations in different cultures. The concept of "face," as set forth by Earley, is a reflection of the individual's struggle for self-definition and understanding, of which a key component is a positioning of self relative to others is a social setting. Face is at the heart of social behavior and provides a consistent linking mechanism to understand behavior across cultures. Earley uses this concept of face as a basis for examination of cross-cultural organizational behavior from an individual's personal perspective. In this work, he develops a mid-range theory of individual behavior, self-concept, and interpersonal process in an effort to explain cultural differences in organizational settings. He sets up a cross-level model, and then attempts to provide a single coherent force--"face"--as an engine driving the entire system that can be used to integrate various social and organizational mechanisms in predicting people's behavior. This understanding of how and why people behave certain ways is a critical tool for studying the impact of individual behavior on the functioning of organizations. Earley's work represents a new theory of self-presentation and face within a cross-cultural context, integrating a cross-level approach ranging from the individual to the organization and to the societal levels of discussion. Face, Harmony, and Social Structure is a truly interdisciplinary work that brings elements of psychology, sociology, and anthropology to organizational studies. It will be illuminating reading for professionals and scholars of management and organizational behavior, as well as to academics in cross-cultural psychology and anthropology.

Table of Contents:
1: Introduction and Overview 2: General Framework and Model 3: Face and Social Context 4: Mianzi as a Form of Face 5: Lian as a Form of Face 6: The Social Actor 7: Harmony and Face 8: Societal Context 9: Organizational Context and Content 10: Resulting Patterns and Consequences 11: Conclusions and Research Agenda References Index

About the Author :
P. Christopher Earley is Professor of Organization Behavior at the London Business School. He is the author of five books and numerous articles and book chapters, and his most recent publications include Culture, Self-Identity, and Work (Oxford University Press 1993) and The Transplanted Executive: Managing in Different Cultures (Oxford University Press 1997).

Review :
"This is a major, must read book for students of cross-cultural organizational behavior."--Choice "This is a 'must read' book for scholars and practitioners interested in cross-cultural influences on organizational behavior. Professor Earley's work combines a sound theoretical perspective with a myriad of practical examples to illustrate his points. This is probably the first Western book to adequately explain the Asian concept of face as it relates to both the self-concept and human behavior. I highly recommend this book."--Richard M. Steers, Kazumitsu Shiomi Professor of Management, Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon "This book presents an original theory that links the concept of face to interpersonal behavior and macro variables, such as aspects of institutions and culture. The concept of face is universal but is manifested in culturally specific ways. It is examined in two chapters using the Chinese concepts of lian (evaluations by self and others concerning a person's adherence to rules of conduct) and mianzi (evaluation by self and others of the position of the self within a social structure). A creative integration of differential emphases on lian and mianzi in different kinds of cultures is supported by a broad literature on organizational behavior. An insightful examination of organizational behavior in the Czech Republic, India, Sweden, and the United States leads to suggestions for further research that uses this new theory."--Harry C. Triandis, University of Illinois "In this excellent monograph, Christopher Earl(e)y presents a thought-provoking analysis of social and organizational interaction....(The book) rewards the determined reader with a scholarly presentation that is both unusually broad and unusually deep."--American Journal of Psychology "This is a major, must read book for students of cross-cultural organizational behavior."--Choice "This is a 'must read' book for scholars and practitioners interested in cross-cultural influences on organizational behavior. Professor Earley's work combines a sound theoretical perspective with a myriad of practical examples to illustrate his points. This is probably the first Western book to adequately explain the Asian concept of face as it relates to both the self-concept and human behavior. I highly recommend this book."--Richard M. Steers, Kazumitsu Shiomi Professor of Management, Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon "This book presents an original theory that links the concept of face to interpersonal behavior and macro variables, such as aspects of institutions and culture. The concept of face is universal but is manifested in culturally specific ways. It is examined in two chapters using the Chinese concepts of lian (evaluations by self and others concerning a person's adherence to rules of conduct) and mianzi (evaluation by self and others of the position of the self within a social structure). A creative integration of differential emphases on lian and mianzi in different kinds of cultures is supported by a broad literature on organizational behavior. An insightful examination of organizational behavior in the Czech Republic, India, Sweden, and the United States leads to suggestions for further research that uses this new theory."--Harry C. Triandis, University of Illinois