Dr. Niedenführ Addresses Chinese Experts in Shenzhen and Contributes to Publications on Business Confucianism
We are proud to share that Dr. Matthias Niedenführ, senior research fellow at LEIZ, recently had the privilege of addressing a distinguished audience of Chinese scholars and business leaders at a high-level conference in Shenzhen, China. The event brought together experts from academia and industry to explore the evolving role of Confucian thought in contemporary business practice.
Dr. Niedenführ was honoured to serve on the editorial committee of the newly published volume Business Confucianisms 2024, edited by Prof. Li Honglei of Zhongshan University in Guangzhou. This comprehensive handbook brings together leading voices in the field to examine how Confucian values continue to shape business ethics, leadership, and governance in China and beyond.
As part of this initiative, Dr. Niedenführ contributed a Chinese-language chapter titled Navigating Relational and Transactional Rationalities in Chinese Thought and Business Practice. The paper explores how traditional Chinese philosophies—especially Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and military strategy—offer distinct approaches to leadership and decision-making, balancing long-term relational thinking with short-term transactional logic.
The chapter was also published in English in a special issue of the academic journal Cultural China (Wenhua Zhongguo), edited by Prof. Li Honglei. This journal is a respected platform for intercultural dialogue and philosophical inquiry, and the special issue highlights the growing relevance of relational rationality in global business contexts.
Dr. Niedenführ’s work emphasizes that Chinese business culture is not merely transactional, but deeply rooted in relational networks, moral education, and social responsibility. His analysis sheds light on how Chinese entrepreneurs navigate complex social and economic environments by integrating traditional values with modern management practices.
These contributions reflect LEIZ’s commitment to intercultural understanding, ethical leadership, and global engagement.
