Religious Thoughts, Ethnic Values and Their Impacts on Business Management
Chen H. Chung

Abstract
This study explores how religious thoughts may work through their impacts upon the values and culture of an ethnic group (the “Hakka” in this case) so as to influence entrepreneurs and the management practices in the group. Together with other folk religions, Buddhism has a deep root in Hakka societies. Such a deep root exerts tremendous impacts upon the Hakka values and culture. This research investigates the compound impacts of Buddhist thoughts and ethnic culture on the business and management philosophies of Hakka enterprises. A total of 22 Hakka entrepreneurs were interviewed. Although not all of them claim to be Buddhists, they are generally open-minded and receptive to Buddhist thoughts. Their management styles, practices and philosophies are quite compatible with both the Buddhist and Hakka values. Based on the result of this study, we propose a preliminary Buddhism-based management model for Hakka enterprises.

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