Tian-ren-he-yi strategy: An Eastern perspective

Mike W. Peng (), Yuan Li () and Longwei Tian ()
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Mike W. Peng: University of Texas at Dallas
Yuan Li: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Longwei Tian: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 2016, vol. 33, issue 3, No 6, 695-722

Abstract: Abstract Research on the business-environment dilemma has traditionally focused on strategies based on isolated, either/or mindsets, such as economically-oriented and environmentally-oriented strategies. Drawing on the cultural, philosophical, and intellectual traditions of China, we sketch the contours of a new holism-based strategic mindset, which results in a tian-ren-he-yi strategy. As an Eastern perspective, tian-ren-he-yi means “nature and mankind combined as one” or “nature-human harmony.” We leverage both qualitative and quantitative investigations to first identify the underlying mechanisms connecting tian-ren-he-yi strategy and firm performance, and then to compare the performance-enhancing potential of tian-ren-he-yi strategy with the two strategies based on the isolated mindset. Our analysis shows that when managing the business-environment dilemma, tian-ren-he-yi strategy has stronger performance-enhancing potential than either economically-oriented or environmentally-oriented strategies.

Keywords: Business-environment dilemma; Holism; Tian-ren-he-yi strategy; Mixed-methods methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10490-015-9448-6

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