Embedding Confucian Values in Human-Centered Management: Evidence from a Chinese Enterprise

Abstract

Amid globalization and evolving management paradigms, the integration of traditional cultural values into modern enterprise practices warrants closer examination. This study investigates the Chinese retail enterprise Pangdonglai as a case study to explore the incorporation of core Confucian principles—benevolence (Ren), righteousness (Yi), propriety (Li), wisdom (Zhi), and trustworthiness (Xin)—into contemporary management practices. Employing a combination of literature review and case study methodology, the research identifies how these Confucian values manifest in human-centered management across four dimensions: employee care, customer service, organizational culture development, and corporate social responsibility. The findings demonstrate that Confucian principles not only provide an ethical foundation for a people-oriented, value-driven management model but also enhance employee engagement, reinforce brand identity, and contribute to culturally grounded competitive advantage. However, enterprises must navigate the tension between cultural continuity and adaptive management amid cross-regional expansion and technological change. This study contributes to the theoretical discourse on the fusion of traditional culture with modern management, extends the practical boundaries of indigenous management thought, and offers both conceptual insights and actionable guidance for Chinese enterprises pursuing culturally embedded strategies for sustainable development.