Chinese Psychological Capital: A Grounded Investigation in Public Sector

This paper explores the applicability of the ´Western´ concept of psychological capital to the People´s Republic of China (PRC) context and highlights critical areas of divergence. Employing a grounded approach, Optimism, Creativity, Resiliency, Self-confidence, Forgiveness and Gratitude, Courage and Ambition (Hope) were found to be common types of psychological capital both in China and in the West. However, the dimensions Courtesy, Humility, Self-possession and Sincerity fell into the ´different´ category of our analysis on psychological capital since these concepts were relevant in the West, however, they are not perceived as dimensions of psychological capital in the literature.