Chinese and Italian leadership styles: a cross-culture study

Abstract

The main goal of this dissertation thesis is to individuate, define, and demonstrate the similarities between the Chinese and Italian culture. To reach this goal, the study focuses on the different styles of leadership existing in the two cultures, analyzing the specific situation of the small-medium enterprises in the secondary sector of the economy. These last factors have been examined because they represent a salient position in the labor market of both countries. A wide section is dedicated to the literature review. The research aims to identify and analyze the cardinal concepts and elements, such as culture, small and medium enterprises, and leadership, from an etymologic to a historical point of view. In this initial part, a few theories are traced. To demonstrate these hypotheses, statistical surveys have been performed. The method used is the questionnaire and it is defined and explained in the second part of the work. The original survey is written in English, but it has been translated into Italian and Chinese to help the interviewees to have a better understanding of it. It has been sent to various employees of SMEs working in the second sector in China and Italy. The questions are brief and straightforward, in order to collect information about the managing environment in the areas of interest and to have a clear understanding of the single point of view. The final part is dedicated to the analysis of the collected data and the conclusive interpretation.