Encountering non-Christian Chinese international students: cross-cultural adaptive practices of local Christian organisations in the UK

This paper explores the cross-cultural organisational adaptation of host religious organisations through their interaction with non-Christian Chinese international students in the UK. Grounded in Kim’s integrative adaptation theory, the research employed the methods of participant observation, inter...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Yu, Yun (Author) ; Stoet, Gijsbert 1970- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge [2020]
In: Journal of beliefs and values
Year: 2020, Volume: 41, Issue: 3, Pages: 305-321
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Great Britain / Church organization / Chinese people / Non-Christian / College student / Interaction
RelBib Classification:CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations
CH Christianity and Society
KBF British Isles
KBM Asia
Further subjects:B International students
B Scotland Christianity
B Churches
B Cross-cultural organisational adaptation
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:This paper explores the cross-cultural organisational adaptation of host religious organisations through their interaction with non-Christian Chinese international students in the UK. Grounded in Kim’s integrative adaptation theory, the research employed the methods of participant observation, interviews and document analysis to examine the interaction of international students with two specific churches (part of the Church of Scotland). The study found that in order to provide international engagement, the churches in question underwent cross-cultural organisational adaptation and transformation with a consideration of the cultural differences and the needs of Chinese students in intercultural communication, including in terms of multicultural team building, the improvement of intercultural competence and adaptive religious practices. These adaptive transformations or ‘customised services’ attracted and engaged large numbers of Chinese students in the intercultural interaction surrounding congregations. The cultural adaptation of host congregations contributes to the quality of social support for international students as well as the intercultural expansion of Christian values and beliefs throughout the trend of student mobility.
ISSN:1469-9362
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of beliefs and values
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/13617672.2019.1652789