Cultural Information - Hierarchy and Decision-making

Question:

In the workplace, how are decisions taken and by whom? Is it acceptable to go to my immediate supervisor for answers or feedback?

Local Perspective:

Often, the leaders will ask for feedback and input from their immediate workers (middle management people), then they will finalize the plan and give directives to the staff as an order. The middle management people do all the groundwork. In doing a project, it is important for the Canadian representative to know who are the power people - the decision makers and who has influence on the leaders and works with these people. If there is a conflict situation, talk to the middle management people casually, convince them, help them understand your approach/difficulties, and they can do a lot of talking for you with their own leaders, more powerful than what you could do for yourself. Of course, you will still meet with the leaders to finalize the resolutions.

Canadian Perspective:

Although it may vary according to the age and background of individuals in a particular workplace, decisions are usually taken by superiors. "Having a meeting" (kaihui) is a fairly well-developed practice in modern China, especially in organizations affiliated to the government. Meetings are tacitly an opportunity for exchanging ideas, however, they are often actually opportunities of informing management and staff alike of their particular duties and responsibilities over a short-term period. And it’s often the case that management has already received feedback from employees and colleagues before such a meeting takes place. It is acceptable, and even advisable to go to immediate supervisors for answers and feedback. Communications is always important in China, as well as an opportunity to show deference to your superiors and colleagues. At the same time, a certain amount of individual initiative is expected and respected in China.