Tao and Project Management

1
Lao Zi (604 BC), one of Taoist Grand Prophet,
created Tao-Te-Ching
2

• A Brief of Tao-Te-Ching
• Tao-Te-Ching can be literally translated as
  the book (Ching) of How (Tao) things happen (Te)
• The main focus of the book is concerned with
  man. Eighty percent (80) of the book is devoted
  not to the substance of Tao but to its functions,
  particularly to its operation in society. This is
  the reason why Tao is relevant to management,
  especially in leadership.
• Tao and Confucianism have several similarities
• - Humanity - Oppose the use of
• - Righteousness power/punishment
• - Deep Love - Highly esteem the
• - Faithfulness integrity of the individual
  
• and social harmony

Jesus
3
Tao at Macro Level Nations Culture
4

• Cultural Relevance of the Tao in Construction
  Project Management
• Tao and Dimensions of Culture of Hofstede (1991)
• Tao and Dimensions of Culture of Trompenaars
  (1993)

5
Five Dimensions of Culture of Hofstede
Individualism or Collectivism
Large or Small Power Distance
Strong or Weak Uncertainty Avoidance
Masculinity or Femininity
Confucianism
Short or Long Term Orientation
6
(1) Relationship Between Tao Concepts
Individualism-Collectivism of Hofstede
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
7
(2) Relationship Between Tao Concepts Power
Distance of Hofstede
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
8
(3) Relationship Between Tao Concepts
Uncertainty Avoidance of Hofstede
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
9
(4) Relationship Between Tao Concepts
Masculinity-Femininity of Hofstede
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
10
(5) Relationship Between Tao Concepts
Confucian Dynamism
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
11
CONCLUSION
Comparison of Scores by Hong Kong, USA, UK, and
Tao Culture on the Cultural Dimensions under
Hofstede
12
Five Dimensions of Culture of Trompenaars
Individualism or Collectivism
Universalism or Particularism
Affective or Neutral
Specific or Diffuse
Achievement or Ascription Orientation
13
(1) Relationship Between Tao Concepts
Individualism-Collectivism of Trompenaars
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
14
(2) Relationship Between Tao Concepts
Universalism Capitalism of Trompenaars
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
15
(3) Relationship Between Tao Concepts
Affective Neutral of Trompenaars
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
16
(4) Relationship Between Tao Concepts Specific
Diffuse of Trompenaars
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
17
(5) Relationship Between Tao Concepts
Achievement Ascription of Trompenaars
Note ST represents strong adherence of the Tao
concepts and SL represents slight adherence.
18
CONCLUSION
Comparison of Scores by Hong Kong, USA, UK, and
Tao Culture on the Cultural Dimensions under
Trompenaars
19
Tao Concepts and Comparing Features of Asian and
Western Management