Early Management Practices in China

EARLY AND CURRENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN CHINA

(1500 BC – 1300 AD)

China is a huge country in eastern Asia. It is the world's largest country in population and the third largest in area. About a fifth of the world's people live in China. The country covers more than a fifth of Asia. Only Russia and Canada have more territory. China's vast land area includes some of the world's driest deserts and highest mountains, as well as some of the richest farmland.

The Chinese call their country Zhongguo, which means Middle Country. This name may have come into being because the ancient Chinese thought of their country as both the geographical center of the world and the only cultured civilization. The name China was given to the country by foreigners. The name may have come from Qin «chihn», the name of an early Chinese dynasty (series of rulers from the same family).

Dynasties: Ancient China was governed by a ruling class of warrior nobles headed by a king. Ruling families are referred to as dynasties.

THE XIA DYNASTY (2070 – 1600 BC)

The Xia Dynasty (Chinese: 夏朝; pinyin: Xià Cháo; Wade–Giles: Hsia-Ch'ao; IPA: [ɕiâ tʂʰɑ̌ʊ̯]; c. 2070 – c. 1600 BC) – The first dynasty in China to be described in ancient historical chronicles. The dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great.

It is Yu the Great who first set up the dynasty under the Abdication System (choosing the leader according to their ability). After he died, his son Qi broke up this system and made himself the Xia emperor. From that time onwards, the Abdication System gave way to the Hereditary System.

During this dynasty, many achievements were made. People lived mainly through agriculture using tools made of stone or bone. The Jade ware at that time was quite delicate and bronze vessels were well smelted. Craftwork made of bronze embedded with jade also appeared. Commodity exchanges developed. A calendar system was devised which used both lunar and solar movements.

Xia ended under the reign...