Building a Global Responsive Organization: The Case of the Haier Group

Xinbo Sun, Yi Cao, Suxiu Li, Xin Li

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    This chapter outlines the philosophic underpinnings of the self-management paradigm developed over the past three decades by China’s Haier Group, a global leader in white goods. The successful transformation of Haier from a small resource-poor firm to a dominant global giant is often attributed to the self-management culture established in the company by its legendary leader Zhang Ruimin. This management paradigm is a function of the humbleness displayed by Mr. Zhang Ruimin and rooted in his strong belief in the traditional Chinese philosophy of I-Ching and Daoism. We show how the hexagram of Qian (“qian”: humbleness, modesty) from I-Ching is linked to Mr. Zhang’s humble approach and analyze how the six parts of the hexagram of Qian are related to the six development stages of the Haier Group. These insights are used to give some thoughts to the leadership challenge associated with the creation of a dynamic and responsive global organization.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationThe Responsive Global Organization : New Insights from Global Strategy and International Business
    EditorsTorben Juul Andersen
    Number of pages20
    Place of PublicationBingley
    PublisherEmerald Group Publishing
    Publication date2017
    Pages149-168
    Chapter6
    ISBN (Print)9781787148321
    ISBN (Electronic)9781787148314, 9781787432673
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017
    SeriesEmerald Studies in Global Strategic Responsiveness
    Volume1

    Keywords

    • Humble
    • Self-management
    • Philosophy
    • Daoism
    • I-Ching
    • Hexagram

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