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With rapid globalization, multinational firms are sending a growing number of employees on foreign assignments. A growing body of research attests to the interest in the stress experienced by these expatriates. The current study focused on a subject rarely addressed in expatriate stress research, namely burnout. Its goals were to demonstrate: (1) the relevance of burnout to expatriates; (2) the difference between stress and burnout; (3) the role played by the perceived importance of expatriates' work; (4) the relevance of existential theory as a theoretical backdrop. The study included 233 Israeli expatriates who responded to a questionnaire. Findings revealed high level of stress, low level of burnout and very high perceived work importance. Hierarchical regression showed that importance moderated the effect of stress on burnout. There were differences between the correlates of stress and burnout, especially work importance, which was negatively correlated with burnout and positively correlated with stress.

The article reports on a study to examine the application of guanxi attributes and the pathways linking them to success and performance in the context of business-to-business relationships in the Chinese diamond industry. We draw on and adapt the Ganqing, Renqing and Xinren (GRX) scale to reveal a paradox in terms of how business is conventionally conducted. This is interesting because in Western markets that are typically governed by arms-length transactions the diamond industry is somewhat unique, as it is built on very close socially driven relationships. The paradox also occurs in the Chinese context, as the opposite is prevalent i.e., in a nation that often relies on social guanxi ties to drive business, the diamond industry is heavily characterized by a somewhat antagonistic arms-length approach. The study pieces together and tests a concept drawing on a sample of 212 diamond merchant traders operating in China. We discover that interpersonal trust (Xinren) has a positive influence on both emotional attachment (Ganqing) and obligational favor (Renqing), but has a direct negative influence on Performance (the paradox). Ganqing serves to positively influence Performance and Renqing leads to greater Satisfaction-which in turn has a positive bearing on Performance. Several implications are extracted from the study that provide useful insights into the ways that guanxi is perhaps becoming more or less prevalent in China.

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The collapse of the former Soviet Union has opened up a wealth of business opportunities for companies seeking new markets in the Russian Federation. Despite this, firms intending to do business in Russia have found themselves hampered by cultural differences in business practices and expectations. As Russia integrates into the global economy, understanding such practices and the managerial mindset of business people is crucial for managers who hope to navigate Russia's complex markets. This study draws on the trust literature and adopts quantitative tools to deconstruct the Russian 'Sviazi' system of social capital business networking. We develop a model isolating three dimensions of Sviazi: one an affective or emotional component; the second, a conative component; and the third, a cognitive component. The model provides a useful guide for helping foreign firms to succeed in Russia, while also serving as a basis for further research in the field.