Intercultural relationships of the French SME Mixel Agitators in China

• Main Authors: Dominguez, Noémie, Mayrhofer, Ulrike
• Other Authors: Laboratoire de Recherche Magellan, Université Jean Moulin - Lyon 3 (UJML), Université de Lyon-Université de Lyon-Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Lyon
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2018
• Subjects: Intercultural relationships; headquarters-subsidiary relationships; SME; Chinese culture; guanxi.; [SHS.GESTION]Humanities and Social Sciences/Business administration; Iceland
• Online Access: https://univ-lyon3.hal.science/hal-01832305

International audience This research focuses on intercultural relationships developed by Mixel Agitators, a French industrial SME, in the Chinese market. The company follows an ambitious internationalization strategy and has established a production and sales subsidiary in China. The relationships established with the Chinese subsidiary appear to be difficult, which represents an important barrier to operations in China. This article attempts to contribute to a better understanding of intercultural relationships between the French headquarters and the Chinese subsidiary. The empirical study is based on 15 interviews conducted with managers of Mixel Agitators in both countries and institutional actors involved in Franco-Chinese business relationships. The results show that the difficulties faced are due to differences concerning the business context as well as national and organizational cultures.