Yang Baiyin, winner of the 2019 Fudan Management Excellence Award impressed people with his refinement, amiability and profundity. He was in a well-fitted light grey Chinese tunic suit and traditional cloth shoes, hair trimmed with silver color and countenance bright and pleasing. Sometimes people fail to identify, by his wearing or his composed and elegant manners, that he is a management expert, professor and Chair of the Department of Leadership and Organization Management at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management. It is not hard to understand those seemingly incompatible traits in light of his experiences and academic pursuits.
Dedicate to the country by working in human resources
In 1978, Yang Baiyin, who had just turned 16, was admitted to the Mathematics Department of Nanjing University. Four years of systematic mathematical training not only cultivated his logical thinking, but also influenced his later academic research. As an outstanding scholar in the field of human resources, he has developed the Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ), which has been translated into seven languages and widely used all over the world.
Determined to follow his heart after working in personnel management for eight years in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yang went to pursue a master’s degree at Saskatchewan University in Canada in 1990. Since then, he has embarked on the journey of research on human resources development and management.
He obtained his Ph.D in human resource development at the University of Georgia, subsequently taught at Auburn University and the University of Idaho. He started as an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota and was offered a tenured full-professorship within five years.
After spending 16 years overseas, Yang received an invitation from Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management and immediately decided to return to China. He then became the Chairman of the Department of Human Resources and Organizational Behaviors.
He said, “I grew up here, finished university here and worked in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Although I had the chance to go abroad, I hope to come back home and make contributions to my homeland. Also, I am the only son in my family. So, only by returning to my homeland could I both serve my country and take care of parents.” After 16 years abroad, he still holds genuine and unadorned affections for his family and country under the influence of traditional Chinese virtues.
Well-versed in Chinese and western culture, devoted to developing theory and practice intended for China
Since his return to the homeland, Yang has been devoted to the research on Chinese management and leadership as well as its cultural basis. After analyzing the influence of different ways of thinking on economic mechanism, organization and management, he first proposed the idea that China’s theory and practice of management are influenced by ideological determinants.
On the basis of integrating Chinese and Western culture, Yang always attaches great significance to the study of localization. He said, “I hope to break through the barriers between Chinese and Western culture, study their essence, and apply traditional Chinese philosophies to the administration of modern society.”
Tell China’s story and be the model of perseverance in research and education
Yang’s achievements result from his diligence. His efforts at work have demonstrated to students how to do academic research, while his deeds in life have encouraged students to serve as a model for others.
“Chinese management scholars should be able to both reach for the high academic standards and stand firmly on the ground. To reach for the high means to study the most advanced management theories and concepts in the West. To stand firmly on the ground means to learn from practice and identify the effective management methods of Chinese enterprises.” Yang said, “I have just begun to explore in this field. I hope I can spread these management concepts and theories with Chinese characteristics across the world.”
