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Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2022, 10, 395-412
https://www.scirp.org/journal/jss
ISSN Online: 2327-5960
ISSN Print: 2327-5952
DOI:
10.4236/jss.2022.109025 Aug. 29, 2022 395
Open Journal of Social Sciences
The International Spread of Chinese Kung-Fu
Tao Li1,2
1The College of Business Administration, University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City, Philippines
2University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
Email: 1626303309@qq.com
Abstract
The international spread of Chinese Kung-Fu is of great significance to pro-
mote world sports cultural
exchanges and increase world peace. Chinese
Kung-Fu has a long history, extensiveness and profoundness. Chinese Kung-
Fu advocates the concept of being soft and strong in fighting wisdom and
pursuing peace, which is consistent with China’s image of advocating peace-
ful development. The international spread of Chinese Kung-Fu requires in-
novation. The global spread of competitive Kung-Fu based on western com-
petitive concepts has expanded the scope and audience of Chinese Kung-
Fu.
Chinese Kung-Fu has been spread around the world, and Chinese Kung-
Fu
halls have been opened in countries such as the United States, the Philippines,
Singapore and others. The international spread of Chinese Kung-
Fu needs to
continue to overcome some difficulties. The internationalization of Kung-
Fu
can not only enhance the sports and cultural exchanges am
ong countries, but
also enhance the
friendship and understanding of people around the world,
and improve people’
s health. The study aimed to determine and analyze the
internationalization of Chinese Kung-
Fu. Specifically, it sought to answer the
following questions: 1) What is the status of the internationalization of Chi-
nese Kung-Fu as to the level of its: a. strength;
b. weakness; c. opportunity
and; d. threat? 2) Wha
t are the strategies of the internationalization of
Chinese Kung-Fu in terms of: a) macro-
strategic environment; and b) me
so-
strategic environment? 3) What combination of strategies is most effective
in the internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu based on
the QSPM analysis
model?
The following are the major findings of the study: 1) The status of
the internationalization of Chinese Kung-
Fu as to level is high in terms of
strengths and very high in terms of opportunities, weaknesses and threats. 2)
The macro-
strategic environment strategies in the Internationalization of
Chinese Kung-
Fu involve political stability, economic security, effective social
communication and efficient use of advanced technology. In terms of me-
so-strategic environment, concerns are
on competitive advantage, bargaining
power of clients and threats of potential entrants. 3) Based on the Quantita-
How to cite this paper:
Li, T. (2022).
The
International Spread of Chinese Kung
-Fu
.
O
pen Journal of Social Sciences, 10,
395-412.
https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2022.109025
Received:
July 26, 2022
Accepted:
August 26, 2022
Published:
August 29, 2022
Copyright © 20
22 by author(s) and
Scientific
Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution
International
License (CC BY
4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access
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tive Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) model, the best strategy to use in the
internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu is the integration of its
strengths
and opportunities (SO)
in the planning, marketing and implementation of
tactics and approaches.
Keywords
International Spread, Innovation, Cultural Exchanges Friendship, Health
SWOT Internationalization Strategy, Kung-Fu Promotion Plans
1. The Problem
1.1. Background of the Study
Martial arts are part and parcel of the Chinese way of life. It is embedded in their
culture and is practiced not only as a way to defend oneself but a means of en-
hancing physical stamina and healthy living. Chinese Kung-Fu is a martial art
that is gaining much attention and popularity among enthusiasts all over the
world.
Song Lanlan et al. (2018) asserted that the international spread of Chinese
Kung-Fu is of great significance to promote world sports cultural exchanges and
increase world peace. Chinese Kung-Fu has a long history, extensiveness and
profoundness. It is a gem of traditional Chinese national sports. It has cultural
characteristics such as philosophy, skill, fitness, and entertainment. Kung-Fu is a
sport with rich connotation, diverse forms, independent systems and multiple
social functions. It is also a brilliant pearl of Eastern culture. At present, Chinese
Kung-Fu is going to the world in the form of excellent national culture. Chinese
Kung-Fu has been widely spread globally and has become an important part of
world sports culture.
In cross-cultural communication, Chinese Kung-Fu plays a positive role in cul-
tural soft power. In the context of globalization, the international development of
Chinese Kung-Fu should stand at the height of culture, hold high the flag of “cul-
tural Kung-Fu”, and shape the national image of China in the new era of “peace,
harmony, and culture” (Dong & Chen, 2019). Chinese Kung-Fu advocates the
concept of being soft and strong in fighting wisdom and pursuing peace, which is
consistent with China’s image of advocating peaceful development.
The international spread of Chinese Kung-Fu is very important for interna-
tional Kung-Fu enthusiasts and sports enthusiasts. It is acknowledged that scien-
tific physical exercise can enhance people’s physical health. Wushu’s effect on
physical fitness is very obvious. In addition, it can also be regarded as a self-
defense technique. Firstly, Kung-Fu can enhance the physical fitness of physical
exercisers; secondly, Kung-Fu can enhance the international exchange of sports
culture; thirdly, the exchanges between Kung-Fu and Taekwondo, Sanda, Muay
Thai from other different countries, can enhance the cognitive and competitive
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abilities of different Kung-Fu enthusiasts; fourthly, the international spread of
Kung-Fu can change the one-sided understanding of Kung-Fu by sports fans
and people from all over the world. Kung-Fu is a systematic system of striking
techniques and a philosophical system of fighting and stopping competition. The
superficial image of Kung-Fu movies conveyed to people around the world is to
highlight the powerful and entertaining nature of beating, while ignoring its
philosophical rationality and essence. Finally, the international broadcast of
Kung-Fu can comprehensively and systematically enhance the soft power of
Chinese culture and the Chinese nation image, like practicing Kung-Fu but not
fond of fighting, the essential meaning conveyed contrasts with Chinese image of
peaceful development. The international spread of Kung-Fu helps people around
the world understand the essence of Kung-Fu culture.
Chinese Kung-Fu have been spread around the world, and Chinese Kung-Fu
halls have been opened in the United States, the Philippines, Singapore and oth-
er countries. The spreaders of Kung-Fu in Oahu, Hawaii are the Confucius In-
stitute at the University of Hawaii, local Kung-Fu clubs and other institutions, as
well as Kung-Fu professional volunteers teaching Kung-Fu at the Confucius In-
stitute, local Chinese Kung-Fu enthusiasts, and some local Kung-Fu Residents
with relatively high levels (Li, 2016). Zhai Jinguo (2017) believes that through the
analysis of the communication perspective, the seven factors influencing the
process of the internationalization of Kung-Fu will contribute to the inheritance
and development of Kung-Fu and the communication and exchange of culture.
The international spread of Chinese Kung-Fu needs to continue to overcome
some difficulties. From the establishment of the International Kung-Fu Federa-
tion in 1990 to the end of 2007, there were 106 full members. Although Chinese
Kung-Fu has made remarkable achievements in the internationalization of Kung-
Fu, its international influence is also increasing. However, there are still some
difficulties and obstacles.
Kung-Fu was originally used as a means of military training and was closely
related to ancient military struggles. The characteristics of Kung-Fu are obvious.
As a sport, Kung-Fu is still technically the characteristic of offensive and defen-
sive Kung-Fu, but combines Kung-Fu in fighting and routine sports. It embodies
the characteristics of Kung-Fu offensive and defensive combat, and is basically
the same in technology and practical Kung-Fu. For example, in Sanshou, the
traditional practical combat methods are restricted, and the striking position and
protective gear are strictly regulated. The equipment used in short soldiers has
also been changed accordingly, and the push hand is used for competition under
special technical regulations. Therefore, it can be said that Kung-Fu fighting
sports have strong offensive and defensive skills, but they are different from
practical skills.
Kung-Fu is also a national style that combines both form and spirit with in-
ternal and external integration: it not only pays attention to the norms of the
form, but also seeks spiritual communication. The overall view of the unity of
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inside and outside is a major feature of Chinese Kung-Fu.
Kung-Fu is a mystery to people who do not understand and appreciate the
philosophy behind its practice. Mystery is the deepest and most beautiful emo-
tion of mankind. It is this mystery that drives human beings to continue to ex-
plore with curiosity. The mystery of Kung-Fu is also a double-edged sword for
its own development. If the mystery of Kung-Fu is completely abandoned, then
people’s perseverance and pursuit of traditional Kung-Fu may be weakened, and
the past glory of traditional Kung-Fu may be lost. Doubts, as well as the respect
and pride of Chinese Kung-Fu as a national martial art may disappear. In a
sense, it is more precious because it is even more a fantasy, a rumor. People can
fly, or practice the so-called invulnerability, so in a way, the mystery of tradi-
tional Kung-Fu has become a sustenance and a complex of people’s thinking. It
is this feeling that allows more people to actively understand, love and expe-
rience Kung-Fu. Kung-Fu goes beyond the surface meaning of fighting and
Kung-Fu, and more importantly, it allows people to pass on a spirit and a will
through the form of fighting, and then through this training, young people can
get the correct way of dealing with people, that is, being able to get tempered and
cultivated in moral, intellectual, physical, beauty, and labor, and know how to be
a person and what kind of person to be.
Although, it is already popular in the entertainment industry, Chinese Kung-
Fu only began to be noticed in sporting world in 1990 when it was listed as a
competition event in the Asian Games. In October 1991, Beijing successfully
hosted the first World Kung-Fu Championship. In 1994, the International
Kung-Fu Federation was formally accepted by the World Individual Sports Fed-
eration. In May 1999, the first international traditional Kung-Fu and stunt com-
petition was successfully held in Taizhou, Zhejiang. Athletes from 27 different
countries and regions participated in this competition.
In October 2004, the first World Traditional Kung-Fu Festival was successful-
ly held in Zhengzhou, China, which played a positive role in the inheritance and
development of traditional Kung-Fu and its spread to the world. In order to
adapt to the competitive requirements of the difficult-to-beauty sports event
group in the Olympics, the Kung-Fu routine competition has undergone an es-
sential reform, that is, on the basis of maintaining the essential characteristics
(kick, hit, throw, and take) that make up the Kung-Fu routine, increase with the
innovation of “high, difficult, new and beautiful”, the difficult movements have
become more standardized and the competition has become more reasonable. In
this atmosphere, Kung-Fu has begun to be divided into competitive Kung-Fu
and traditional Kung-Fu.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Kung-Fu Competition has been held as a special
event “Beijing 2008 Kung-Fu Competition”, which means that Kung-Fu has be-
come an international competition event. Competitive Kung-Fu has gone
through more than forty years of development, and Kung-Fu has completed the
transformation from spontaneous folk training to modern competitive sports.
After the reform and opening up, Kung-Fu established an international devel-
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opment strategy, and Chinese and Western sports cultures were integrated.
Cultivating talents for international communication of Kung-Fu to promote
the globalization of Kung-Fu and improving the influence, appeal and soft pow-
er of Chinese culture are the urgent tasks of Chinese Kung-Fu. Through re-
search, it divides Kung-Fu communication talents into competitive Kung-Fu
communication talents, education communication talents, traditional Kung-Fu
communication talents and performing arts communication talents. At the same
time, the training of these four kinds of talents must adhere to strategic aware-
ness, cultural awareness, global awareness, and boxing awareness. Strengthen the
guarantee of talent organization, economy, platform and theory.
Understanding and promoting the cross-cultural communication of Chinese
culture and Kung-Fu under the current multicultural development and Chinese
cultural promotion has become a major issue facing Kung-Fu. It puts forward
that the audience barrier of Kung-Fu communication is stereotyped barrier, and
the media barrier is language barrier. Put forward the strategy of “gatekeeper”
and “main body” in Chinese Kung-Fu communication; focus on the “acceptance
analysis” audience strategy; implement the “dual coding” strategy; strengthen
the “agenda setting” strategy; implement the “focused communication” strategy
and other good communication strategies.
The significance of the study lies on its attempt to provide research-based data
and valuable insights about the internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu. It is
hoped that the research findings can provide useful information in the imple-
mentation of the “One Belt and One Road” strategy of the government. The ef-
fective development of Kung-Fu and the acceleration of its international devel-
opment process provide a theoretical basis for the better understanding of the
philosophy behind the practice of Kung-Fu.
The Chinese Kung-Fu Association can use the research findings to generate
interest of the sports. This is a good opportunity for the international spread of
Kung-Fu through “The Belt and Road” (B&R) Strategy. The construction of the
“Belt and Road” is not only a need for China to expand and deepen its opening
up to the outside world, but also a need to strengthen mutually beneficial coop-
eration with countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and the rest of the world.
The findings of the study may serve as a guide to Kung-Fu enthusiasts all over
the world on the development of Kung-Fu as it provides practical information
on the benefits gained from the sports. The internationalization of Kung-Fu can
not only enhance the sports and cultural exchanges between different countries,
but also enhance the friendship and understanding of people around the world,
and improve people’s health.
1.2. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
The study is anchored to the theories and concepts of sports modernization and
management.
Sports Modernization Theory. This theory is the product of the development
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of social modernization theory to a certain stage, and it is gradually improved
with the continuous deepening of modernization theory research. The early dis-
courses on sports modernization in China were mainly the scientificization of
sports (Xiong, 1987). It is believed that sports modernization is mainly the scien-
tificization of sports, that is, the wide application of the latest modern scientific
and technological achievements and theoretical knowledge in sports, thus mak-
ing the advancement of school sports, competitive sports and mass sports all
around the world. The modernization of sports is a level and state reached by the
development of sports. It is also the ideal goal and future trend of sports devel-
opment. It is a highly rational and conscious process of struggle to achieve this
ideal goal. It is a dynamic acceleration of sports development. This is the process
of historical reality (Lu, 2002).
The modernization of sports in China is a historical process. It is not only a
process of transforming and combining traditional Chinese sports to modern
sports, but also a process of modern sports continuously achieving internationa-
lization, informatization, industrialization, and scientification. At the same time,
sports modernization is the process of changing modern people’s psychological
attitudes, values and sports lifestyles towards modern sports, and represents a
form of sports civilization in modern society (Li, 2002).
Sports modernization is a relatively high standard for the development of
sports. It is a level state with advanced characteristics of modern society that is
compatible with a country’s society, economy, science and technology and cor-
responding national psychology (Kong, 2003).
Sports modernization can be understood as a country or a society successfully
applying modern sports values, sports management methods, sports processes,
sports science theories, sports methods and sports facilities to the development
of human physical and mental health, and comprehensively tapping the human
sports ability. A certain level reached can also be understood as the goal of the
development of human physical and mental health and the comprehensive ex-
ploration of human athletic ability. Sports values, sports management methods,
sports processes, sports science theories, sports methods and sports facilities, etc.
This is a dynamic process of transition from tradition to modernity (Li et al.,
2003). Sports modernization is a dynamic development process that aims to im-
prove people’s sports lifestyle and improve people’s quality of life in the devel-
opment process of social modernization, and points to future sports develop-
ment goals and has phased characteristics (Zhou & Yu, 2007). The process of
sports modernization embodies the sports function of strengthening the body,
and Kung-Fu exercise is an important way to achieve physical health. In order to
realize the internationalization strategy of Kung-Fu dissemination, the concept
of sports modernization has been adopted to change the way of international
dissemination of Kung-Fu.
Strategic Management Theory and Its Model. Strategy is understood as a plan
that considers the overall situation to achieve overall goals. Tactics are only one
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of the means to achieve strategy. In management, strategic management refers to
the overall and long-term development direction, goals, tasks and policies of an
enterprise or organization in a certain period of time, as well as the decision-
making and management art of resource allocation. From the perspective of the
future development of an enterprise, strategy is manifested as a plan, and from
the perspective of the past development process of an enterprise, strategy is ma-
nifested as a model. From the perspective of the industry level, the strategy ma-
nifests itself as a position. In addition, strategy is also manifested as a ploy
adopted by enterprises in competition. For the organization’s strategic environ-
ment analysis, usually through the analysis of the three-tier strategic environ-
ment, the reasons that affect the formulation of the strategy and the actual situa-
tion are obtained.
Macro-environment Strategy. The macro-social development environment in
which the organization is located is generally analyzed by the PEST model, as
shown in Figure 1. PEST analysis refers to the analysis of the macro environ-
ment. The macro environment is also called the general environment, which re-
fers to all the macro factors that affect industries and enterprises. Analyze the
macro-environmental factors. According to their own characteristics and busi-
ness needs, different industries and companies will have different specific con-
tent of the analysis, but they generally deal with political, economic, social and
technological issues. Four types of main external environmental factors that af-
fect enterprises are analyzed. The sports industry, like other industries in the
market economy, must conduct a scientific and careful analysis of its own macro
environment (Yang, 2007).
Meso-environment Strategy. This is also known as industry environment
analysis as it involves mainly analyzing the competition situation of the industry
in which the organization is located, and generally adopts Porter’s five forces
model, as shown in Figure 2. The five power models combine a large number of
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the PEST model.
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Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the five-force competition model.
different factors into a simple model to analyze the basic competitive situation of
an industry. The five power models identify the five main sources of competi-
tion: the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, the threat of potential en-
trants, the threat of substitutes, and competition between companies in the same
industry. To put forward a feasible strategy, we should first confirm and evaluate
the size of these five forces. The characteristics and importance of different
forces vary with different industries and companies.
Micro-environment Strategy. This involves the analysis of the internal envi-
ronment of a specific organization and the factors that affect its strategy. This
strategy adopts the SWOT model analysis. The SWOT analysis refers to the situ-
ation analysis based on the internal and external competitive environment and
competitive conditions. It enumerates various major internal advantages, disad-
vantages, and external opportunities and threats closely related to the research
object through investigations, and follows the matrix form Arrange, and then
use the thought of system analysis to match various factors together to analyze,
from which a series of corresponding conclusions can be drawn, and the conclu-
sions usually have a certain decision-making nature. Using this method, it is
possible to conduct a comprehensive, systematic and accurate study of the situa-
tion in which the research object is located, so as to formulate corresponding
development strategies, plans and countermeasures based on the research re-
sults.
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Figure 3 shows that the formulation of a strategic implementation plan re-
quires analysis from the perspective of the entire strategic environment system,
and finally finds the factors that affect an organization’s strategy. However, only
after evaluation of the strategic plan can it be estimated which strategic plan is
more realistic. Evaluation of strategic plans usually requires quantitative analysis
with the help of IFE/EFE/QSPM models.
The Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE matrix) is a tool for analyzing in-
ternal factors. The method is to find the key factors that affect the future devel-
opment of the company from two aspects of strengths and weaknesses, deter-
mine the weights according to the degree of influence of each factor, and then
score each key factor according to the degree of effective response of the com-
pany to each key factor, and finally Calculate the total weighted score of the
company.
Through IFE, companies can summarize the strengths and weaknesses they
face to portray all the internal stresses of the company. The External Factor
Evaluation Matrix (EFE matrix) is a tool for analyzing the external environment.
The method is to find out the key factors affecting the future development of the
company from the two aspects of opportunity and threat, determine the weight
according to the degree of influence of each factor, and then score each key fac-
tor according to the degree of effective response of the company to each key fac-
tor, and finally Calculate the total weighted score of the company. Through EFE,
companies can summarize the opportunities and threats they face to portray the
full appeal of the company.
The quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM matrix) is an important
analysis tool in the strategic decision-making stage (David, 1985). The analysis
Figure 3. Schematic diagram of the SWOT model.
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tool can objectively propose which strategy is the best. QSPM uses the analysis
results of the first stage and the second stage for strategic evaluation. The analy-
sis principle of QSPM is to score the various strategies formulated in the second
stage. The scores are based on whether each strategy enables the company to
make full use of external opportunities and internal advantages, avoid external
threats and reduce internal weaknesses in 4 aspects, through experts Derived in
the form of a group discussion. The score reflects the optimal degree of its strat-
egy. In other words, the input information of QSPM is exactly the first-stage
factor evaluation result (derived from the analysis of the EFE matrix, IFE matrix
and the competitive situation matrix) and the second-stage alternative strategy
(derived from the SWOT matrix analysis), The result of QSPM analysis reflects
the optimality of its strategy.
The SWOT-QSPM model is derived from strategic management research in
the United States and is used to determine the best alternatives for the develop-
ment strategy obtained by the SWOT model (Liu et al., 2019). The process in-
volves sorting out the specific influencing factors of strengths and weaknesses,
opportunities and threats is the most important step of SWOT analysis. (Show-
ing in Figure 4) The main influencing factors are the basis and logical starting
point of the overall analysis, and have a decisive role in determining the results
of the entire analysis. According to the analysis of the internationalization strat-
egy environment of Chinese Kung-Fu dissemination, the SWOT matrix model is
mainly used to obtain the type of internationalization strategy from a qualitative
perspective. Combined with the international development practice of the Chi-
nese Kung-Fu Association, the specific implementation strategy is further re-
fined.
The QSPM model is used to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of strategic
elements, it judges the feasibility of its alternative strategy combination by com-
paring the weighted result with the theoretical average, and evaluates the possi-
bility and feasibility of strategy selection through the weighted cumulative
Figure 4. Research logical architecture diagram.
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results of SO strategy, WO strategy, ST strategy and WT strategy. The judgment
and evaluation of the results of quantitative analysis is not simply a choice of
strategic combination, but a comprehensive re-optimization of the strategic
combination.
2. Design and Methodology
This chapter presents the research design and methodology, population and lo-
cale of the study, data gathering instrument, data gathering procedure, and
analysis of the data.
Research Design and Methodology
The study used descriptive-survey method of research. Descriptive-survey is a
method that gathers prevailing information about a research problem from a
relatively large group of respondents. This method was used because it was the
intention of the researcher to determine the perceptions of the respondents on
the status of internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu in terms of its strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It also identified the encountered prob-
lems in the internalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
Population and Locale of the Study
The study was conducted in Beijing city and Qingdao city in China. There
were 463 respondents who are practitioners of Chinese Kung-Fu who were se-
lected through incidental sampling. That is, the respondents were chosen based
on their willingness to participate in the study and their availability during the
gathering of data. The study was conducted in December 2020.
Data Gathering Tools
Data were gathered through the use of a questionnaire constructed by the re-
searcher. The questionnaire has two (2) parts. The first part gathers the demo-
graphic profile of the respondents and the second part gathers strengths, weak-
nesses, opportunities and threats regarding the internalization of Chinese Kung-
Fu. The items were constructed based on related literature and studies about
Chinese Kung-Fu. To establish its content validity, the questionnaire was pre-
sented to the adviser and panel for evaluation. Once evaluated and approved, the
questionnaire was pre-tested to 10 respondents and using Cranach’s alpha, the
computed reliability coefficient is 0.893 indicating high reliability.
Document analysis and informal interviews were conducted to determine the
strategies related to macro and meso-environment.
Data Gathering Procedures
After approval by the panel to conduct the study. The researcher started to
gather data. He sought the assistance from Chinese National Kung-Fu associa-
tion in the administration of questionnaire to the respondents. Some question-
naires were administered on a face-to-face basis while other respondents were
administered the questionnaires on line using the WeChat application. The ad-
ministration of the questionnaire took place from March to July 2021. To safe-
guard the identity of the respondents, they were given the option to write their
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name. The respondents were also assured of the confidentiality of information
that they will reveal. After the questionnaires were retrieved form the respon-
dents, the results were collated and tabulated then subjected to statistical analy-
sis.
Treatment of Data
The gathered data were statistically treated using the following:
Mean. This was used to determine the status of the internationalization of
Chinese Kung-Fu it terms of its level of SWOT. The level was interpreted using
the following scale:
Statistical Limits Response Level
3.25 - 4.00 Strongly Agree Very High
2.50 - 3.24 Agree High
1.75 - 2.49 Disagree Low
1.00 - 1.74 Strongly Disagree Very Low
Quantitative Strategy Planning Model (QSPM). This was used to determine
the most effective combination of strategies in the internationalization of Chi-
nese Kung-Fu based on the results of the SWOT analysis.
3. Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of findings based on the
gathered data.
Level of the Internalization of Kung-Fu
The level of the internalization of Chinese Kung-Fu is presented and discussed
along strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Strength. Table 1 shows the level of strength of the internalization of Chinese
Kung-Fu based on the computed mean values of the indicators. As shown, the
overall mean is 3.21 indicating a “high” level of strength. This means that there
is that there is a strong possibility that Chinese Kung-Fu may be globally ac-
cepted because of its numerous advantages. The “high” level of strength can be
due to the fact that the respondents agreed that Chinese Kung-Fu can be used as
a self-defense (2.89) and that it can make the fractioned an international star
(2.91) and that the practice of Kung-Fu increases that marketability of Kung-Fu
tools and equipment (2.92). Moreover, it was strongly agreed by the respondents
that Chinese Kung-Fu has a high reputation all over the world (3.46) and that
the practice of Kung-Fu strengthens the body (3.44). Furthermore, the practice
of Kung-Fu makes one a master (3.31).
It also enhances communication among people and the sports culture of the
community (3.35) as well as it strengthens friendship among people in different
countries of the world (3.39).
These findings imply that there is a huge potential for the internalization of
Chinese Kung-Fu as it enhances healthy living, brotherhood and understanding
among people of the world. The global film industry had an immense impact on
the acceptance of Chinese Kung-Fu all over the world. The success of the Kung-
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Fu movies of Bruce Lee’s in the United States paved to the success of Chinese
Kung-Fu have been accepted by the people of the world hence, many people
came to like Chinese Kung-Fu. The international development of Kung-Fu is af-
fected by its own strengths as a sports activity and at the same time as a way of
self-defence. Practicing Kung-Fu is like practicing taekwondo and fighting tech-
niques, both of which can strengthen the body. Also, Chinese Kung-Fu has a
profound cultural foundation and improves fighting skills.
Weakness. Table 2 indicates the level of weakness of the internationalization
of Chinese Kung-Fu based on the computed mean values of the indicators. As
revealed, the overall mean is 3.26 indicating that there a “very high” level. This
means that the internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu has a lot of challenges
and difficulties that must be overcome.
This very high level of weakness can be due to the fact that the respondents
“strongly agreed” that excessive and improper practice of Kung-Fu may be
harmful to the physical body (3.34) and that it can be used for criminal activities
(3.57). Moreover, learning and practice of Kung-Fu requires patience and per-
sistence (3.41) and that there are few professional Kung-Fu coaches who can
Table 1. Level of Strength of the Internalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
Indicators
Mean
Extent of Agreement
The world reputation of Chinese Kung-Fu is relatively high.
3.46
Strongly Agree
Chinese Kung-Fu has the function of strengthening the body.
3.44
Strongly Agree
Chinese Kung-Fu is used as self-defense.
2.89
Agree
Knowledge of Chinese Kung-Fu can make the Practitioner an international star.
2.91
Agree
Engaging in Kung-Fu can make the strongly Practitioner a master.
3.31
Agree
The practice of Kung-Fu enhances strongly Communication and sports culture.
3.35
Agree
Practice of Kung-Fu strengthens friendship among people of different countries.
3.39
Strongly Agree
The practice of Kung-Fu promotes the development of Kung-Fu tools and
increases international demand in the market.
2.92
Agree
Overall
3.21
High Level
Table 2. Weaknesses of the Internalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
Indicators
Mean
Extent of Agreement
Improper or excessive practice of Kung-Fu will harm your body.
3.34
Strongly Agree
Someone uses Kung-Fu to commit criminal activities or harm the health of others.
3.57
Strongly Agree
Learning Kung-Fu requires long-term persistence, and success is relatively slow.
3.41
Strongly Agree
There are relatively few international professional Kung-Fu coaches.
3.37
Strongly Agree
Kung-Fu is not an Olympic sports event.
2.94
Agree
There is very little funding for the internationalization of Kung-Fu.
2.92
Agree
Overall
3.26
Very High Level
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train practitioners all over the world. Also, the respondents agreed that there is
minimal financial support for the internationalization of the sport (2.92) and
that its being a non-Olympic sport may lessen the enthusiasm of people around
the word to learn and practice Chinese Kung-Fu.
These findings imply that despite its global acceptance, there are still a lot of
problems to be addressed so that Chinese Kung-Fu can ignite the full enthu-
siasm of people around the world.
Practicing Kung-Fu requires attention to method and amount of exercise. Ex-
cessive practice will harm a person’s health. Moreover, Kung-Fu can improve a
person’s offensive ability, which may harm others if malpracticed. Also, the in-
ternationalization of Kung-Fu inevitably faces competition from Taekwondo
and various countries’ fighting techniques.
Opportunities. Table 3 presents the level of opportunities of the internationa-
lization of Chinese Kung-Fu. As indicated, the overall mean is 3.25 reflecting a
“very high” level. This means that there is a very strong prospect and potential
for the success of the internationalization of Chinese Kung fu.
The “very high” level of opportunity can be attributed to the fact that the res-
pondents strongly agreed that Chinese Kung-Fu is loved all over the world (3.37)
and that there are many exchanges between China and other countries (3.46).
Also, the popularity of Chinese Kung-Fu has spread not only in Asia but also
in western countries such as the United States (3.29). There is also the “One Belt,
One Road” strategy of the Chinese government which paved the way for the
global awareness and acceptance of the sport (3.29). There is also the possibility
that it can become an Olympic sports in the future (3.28).
These findings imply that the prospect of Chinese Kung-Fu to be globally
popular is immense. People want to be secure and safe; hence, the practice of
Kung-Fu as a means of self-defense is very attractive. This is the reason why it is
well appreciated by people all over the globe.
Kung-Fu is popular with the public. The rise of China has allowed more
people in the world to come into contact with Chinese Kung-Fu. Moreover,
Table 3. Level of Opportunities of the Internalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
Indicators
Mean
Extent of Agreement
Kung-Fu has always been loved by people all over the world.
3.37
Strongly Agree
There are more Kung-Fu exchanges between China and other countries in the world.
3.46
Strongly Agree
The spread of Kung-Fu has been spreading in the United States, Southeast Asia
and other countries for many years.
3.29
Strongly Agree
Kung-Fu is a sports event in the Asian Games and may become an Olympic event.
2.28
Strongly Agree
China is implementing the “One Belt One Road” strategy.
3.29
Strongly Agree
The State Sports General Administration prepares to provide funds and carry
out international coach training projects.
2.92
Agree
Overall Mean
3.25
Very High Level
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Kung-Fu has become a competitive event in the Asian Games.
Table 4 shows the level of threat of the internationalization of Chinese Kung-
Fu. The computed overall mean of 3.33 indicates a “very high” level of threat.
This means that Chinese Kung-Fu has to face and overcome a lot of factors in
order to achieve its objective for global acceptance.
The perceived very high level of threat can be attributed to the fact that the
respondents strongly agreed that Chinese Kung-Fu is not yet totally accepted as
part of a sports culture all over the world (3.45) aside from misunderstandings
due to language barriers (3.41).Also, for some people, the philosophy behind the
practice of Kung-Fu as well as its mystery is difficult to understand (3.53).
Furthermore, the respondents also agreed that there are limited times and
venues for the practice of the sport (3.19) and that its difficulty appear to lessen
the enthusiasm of sports fan to learn and practice it (3.08)
These findings imply that the threats to the internationalization of Chinese
Kung-Fu stem from its nature as a sports activity itself. Learning Chinese Kung-
Fu and practicing it require patience and diligence which some people do not
have. Also, it needs a lot of time and effort to fully understanding and appreciate
the philosophy behind its practice.
Differences in sports culture and language barriers can prevent the interna-
tional spread of Chinese Kung-Fu. Other sports activities such as, boxing and
taekwondo, as well as the fighting skills of various countries can also hinder the
international spread of Kung-Fu.
The aforementioned analysis of the data clearly expounds the specific influen-
cing factors of the four aspects of the internationalization strategy of Chinese
Kung-Fu, which together determine the development of its internationalization.
Different aspects of the influencing factors have different effects on the interna-
tional spread of Kung-Fu. Weaknesses and threats hinder the international de-
velopment of Kung-Fu whereas; its advantages and opportunities will promote
its international development.
Selection and Evaluation of Internationalization Strategy
From the perspective of combining qualitative and quantitative analysis,
SWOT main element matrix analysis, IFE and EFE matrix analysis, and QSPM
Table 4. Level of Threat of the Internalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
Indicators
Mean
Extent of
Agreement
Sports culture is not accepted.
3.45
Strongly Agree
Barriers to language communication.
3.41
Strongly Agree
Kung-Fu enthusiasts do not have time and venue to learn.
3.19
Agree
The mystery of Kung-Fu is difficult to grasp and understand.
3.53
Strongly Agree
The difficulty of the practice causes fans to lose interest.
3.08
Agree
Overall
3.33
Very High Level
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matrix model analysis constitute an interlocking analysis system. Perform stra-
tegic game analysis through the results of the practice of international commu-
nication of Kung-Fu to verify and evaluate the internationalization strategy.
Matrix Analysis of the Main Elements of SWOT. Presents an analysis of the
combinations of the elements of the SWOT model. Based on the main elements
of the SWOT mode, the corresponding strategic choices are obtained through
element analysis. The advantages of the internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu
A are mainly due to 8 factors (S) while the disadvantages are mainly due to 6
factors (W), and the opportunities are mainly due to 6 factors (O), and the
threats are mainly 5 factors (T). Through the mutual combination of the main
factors, alternative strategic combinations are obtained, and then the alternative
strategies are summarized into the strategic combination matrix. Finally, the
strategies can be analyzed and the strategic choices are determined.
4. Conclusion and Recommendations
This chapter presents the conclusions derived from the findings and the recom-
mendations forwarded by the researcher.
Conclusion
In the light on the findings of the study, the following are the conclusions:
1) The internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu is viable given its strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
2) The macro-environmental and meso-environmental factors have profound
influence on the internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
3) The internal and external environmental situations and needs of the inter-
nationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu are in line with the actual requirements for
the international strategy.
4) The Strength and Opportunities (SO) strategy is the most effective in the
internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
The SWOT Analysis model is effective in determining the strengths, weak-
nesses, opportunities and threats in the internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
Macro and Meso-environmental factors influence the feasibility of internationa-
lizing Chinese Kung-Fu. The QSPM model is effective in determining the most
viable strategy in the internalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions, the following are recommended:
1) There is a need to reform Kung-Fu and strengthen cultural exchanges and
publicity. This is so because one of the strengths of the internationalization of
Kung-Fu is that it promotes intercultural brotherhood and understanding.
2) Fund raising activities may be conducted by Kung-Fu Associations so as to
help finance programs intended for the internationalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
3) Include Chinese Kung-Fu in the curriculum of physical education in the
elementary and secondary level of education as a subject of study so that the
philosophy behind Kung-Fu will be better understood and appreciated and the
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mysteries removed.
4) Enhance and use various opportunities for communication and awareness.
Strengthen the promotion of Kung-Fu culture through artistic endeavours, exhi-
bition games, competition and organizing Kung-Fu festivals.
5) Strengthen communication and publicity through social media. Creating a
website for Chinese Kung-Fu by enthusiasts all over the world will enhance the
internalization of Chinese Kung-Fu.
6) Scientific training and improving training efficiency is another important
way to realize the sustainable development of among Chinese Kung-Fu practi-
tioners.
Acknowledgements
The Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are the source of all treasures of
wisdom, knowledge and understanding; to Thee the researcher ascribes the
highest praise and thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit has supplied sufficient counsel
and steadfast encouragement to finally complete this humble research work. In-
valuable gratitude goes to people whom God used to complete this study.
Dr. Nolan Guillao, the Dean of the College of Business Administration of the
University of the Codilleras and my dissertation adviser, Dr. Ireneo T. Hilario,
for the meaningful suggestions and invaluable guidance;
Orlina Ursula Regua, Ph.D. and Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) of the
College for her invalauble assistance;
Members of the Panel for oral examination, Josefine M. De Leon, PhD., Fri-
siana E. Sabado, PhD., Siegfried M. Erorita, PhD., Grace R. Tobias, Ph.D., Adoure
Fran V. Mangalus, PhD. for their constructive criticisms and recommendations
to improve the study;
The University administrators for accommodating him to pursue his docto-
rate degree in the university and the faculty members who shared their know-
ledge and wisdom.
Finally, to all friends whose names were not included here, may God of all
goodness reciprocate your contribution.
Thank you very much!
Conflicts of Interest
The author declares no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this pa-
per.
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