A number of articles have appeared recently about my interest in doing a HBS
case study on the Chinese television program 非诚勿扰 (e.g. see here, here, here, and here). I have heard from many people – friends, students,
colleagues, eager potential research assistants, journalists and others – all
curious about why I would study a dating show.
As Chinese society has changed dramatically over the past few decades, the
rise of important new businesses such as Jiangsu Broadcasting, producer of
非诚勿扰 have been at the heart of this transformation. Understanding these
businesses, their products, and their strategies is thus highly important to
understanding modern Chinese society and culture. At a moment when values and
practices are rapidly evolving, 非诚勿扰 captures the cultural zeitgeist, providing
a particularly unique window into the lives of Chinese youth. My PhD is in
sociology and many of my studies explore the connection between business and the
broader society, examining topics such as how a business can both engage
important cultural change, but also be responsible rather than exploitative
while doing so. Studying 非诚勿扰 also allows for cross-cultural comparison of China
and US views on love, dating, and marriage.
Furthermore, at a more personal level, about a year ago, a Chinese tutor
introduced me to非诚勿扰 and I was captivated by the show – its drama and sometimes
surprising conclusions – and since then I have frequently watched it. Much of
my time is spent in Boston, and while I am there, watching 非诚勿扰 has
significantly contributed to my Chinese language learning.
We recently completed a round of interviews about the program in Nanjing,
where we met with key production personnel, hosts and some of the former
contestants. Soon we will attend a taping of a show and do a second round of
interviews. Check back later to see the results of the study!
译文:
case study on the Chinese television program 非诚勿扰 (e.g. see here, here, here, and here). I have heard from many people – friends, students,
colleagues, eager potential research assistants, journalists and others – all
curious about why I would study a dating show.
As Chinese society has changed dramatically over the past few decades, the
rise of important new businesses such as Jiangsu Broadcasting, producer of
非诚勿扰 have been at the heart of this transformation. Understanding these
businesses, their products, and their strategies is thus highly important to
understanding modern Chinese society and culture. At a moment when values and
practices are rapidly evolving, 非诚勿扰 captures the cultural zeitgeist, providing
a particularly unique window into the lives of Chinese youth. My PhD is in
sociology and many of my studies explore the connection between business and the
broader society, examining topics such as how a business can both engage
important cultural change, but also be responsible rather than exploitative
while doing so. Studying 非诚勿扰 also allows for cross-cultural comparison of China
and US views on love, dating, and marriage.
Furthermore, at a more personal level, about a year ago, a Chinese tutor
introduced me to非诚勿扰 and I was captivated by the show – its drama and sometimes
surprising conclusions – and since then I have frequently watched it. Much of
my time is spent in Boston, and while I am there, watching 非诚勿扰 has
significantly contributed to my Chinese language learning.
We recently completed a round of interviews about the program in Nanjing,
where we met with key production personnel, hosts and some of the former
contestants. Soon we will attend a taping of a show and do a second round of
interviews. Check back later to see the results of the study!
译文: