The term "Protestant Work Ethic" was first coined by German sociologist and economist Max Weber. When we study the history of Western Civilization we learn that societies such as northern Europe, Canada and the US were largely shaped by this timeless and indispensable work ethic.

Protestant Work Ethic, credited for the mass economic growth in the West, is rooted in faith. Faith does not guarantee a diligent workforce, but the primary drive behind the formation of the Protestant Work Ethic was the belief in a Supreme Being.

Christianity in China has a long history, but the main roots of Chinese culture are found in Buddhism, the philosophies of Confucius, and more recently, socialism.

These factors, coupled together with the current rise in Protestantism, have resulted in China's unique work ethic.

China's history never encouraged laziness. Confucius preached loyalty to one's superiors. Chinese Socialism sets Lei Feng as a role model of selflessness.

We can learn much about loyalty and hard work from Confucius and Lei Feng, but they are not "watching us" as we work. Everybody knows when the boss isn't looking, employees slack off.

Dozens of Chinese people have told me when their bosses aren't in the office they surf the net all day - but this is not exclusively a Chinese problem.

In the Western world, faith has experienced a decline, simultaneously suffering a sharp degeneration of work ethics and economic growth.

Meanwhile, China's faith and economy are both growing faster than any country in the world and China's workforce is progressively demonstrating signs of a Protestant Work Ethic.

While making a connection between Protestantism and economics may be subject to individual opinion, China's growth in both can't be denied.

Work ethic deterioration in the Western world has coincided, not only with the decline of faith, but also with the rise of greed, blamed both on corporations and employees.

Not only have some company owners become greedier, many employees have countered with greater demands as well.

Companies expect more work for less pay, while employees demand higher pay and more benefits for less work. This ongoing conflict drives businesses into the ground.

As an American working in China, I'm especially embarrassed when I see some fellow compatriots vehemently complaining about work conditions, demanding special Western-like treatment from Chinese employers and totally disrespecting local authority.

Their actions not only verify their own loss of work ethics, they totally disregard the Chinese value of respecting authority. They unknowingly prove that the current trend of the Protestant Work Ethic is growing in China, while sadly diminishing in the West.

The skeptics' example of Japan's economy is unfounded. First, the Protestant Work Ethic doesn't assume everyone is religious, but rather infers faith influences culture enough to affect the way people view their work.

Secondly, Japan has deep roots in the Buddhist faith. And thirdly, post-World War II Japan's economy was in ruins until an American, W. Edward Deming, taught his management techniques to Japan.

Although he didn't preach religion, he was born into a Puritan family where the Protestant Work Ethic was deeply engrained into him. Japan, like China, is steeped in signs of this work ethic.

While I hope my country's economy will soon be back on track, a trend toward reversal of work ethics is evident.

When I ask expats about their first impression of Chinese people, a very common reply is, "They study and work diligently."

Whether due to an increase in the Protestant Work Ethic or just survival in a competitive job market, or even the combination of both, nobody can deny the changes in China.