The Impact of COVID-19 on the Strategic Belt and Road Initiative in the Light of Cultural Convergences and Divergences between Egypt and China: A Systematic Review

Abstract

China unveiled a historical initiative named the "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI) launched in 2013, by the Chinese President "Xi Jinping" which will extend the Chinese influence to large regions of the world through a network of roads, ports and airports' infrastructure projects. It represents China's desire to revive the old Silk Road in order to reshape the world's powers by the creation of a new balance in the International System. The MENA region is ranked as one of the highest areas in the era for Chinese investment. Egypt is considered as one of the top countries which will take part in this investment in the MENA region and Africa. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the Convergences and Divergences between Egypt and China from a cultural perspective using Hofstede and GLOBE Models and their impact on the strategic cooperation between both countries towards the Belt and Road Initiative and the impact of COVID-19 on this initiative. The methodology of this study is to review researches and studies conducted and published in the period from 2010 to 2019. More than 13 studies were identified for analysis and study. The study yields to three results in both Hofstede and GLOBE Models: 1) in LTO China scored higher than Egypt; 2) both China and Egypt were scored closer to collectivism; and 3) In PDI, China has scored higher than Egypt but not that much as the difference is only 10. However, in the GLOBE Model, the differences in PDI and IDV dimensions are not as great as in Hofstede Model.

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“…Managers typically work in groups in collectivist societies and strive to attain higher-order goals, just like in Egypt and China. Membership in or affiliation with groups such as business networks and prominent social circles can offer information and development opportunities with these values and within an organizational setting ( Shaaban and Moneim, 2020 ). This similarity in the collectivism between Egypt and China highly explains why our results within the context of Egypt agree with those of Tan and Chee (2005) ; Yan and Sorenson (2005) within the Chinese context, since both countries are collectivistic ones that appreciate the belongings to in-groups (e.g., networks, organizations) who look after them in exchange for information and loyalty instead of looking after themselves and their immediate own benefits.…”