The Comparative Significance of<i>Guanxi</i>

Bian, Yanjie

doi:10.1017/mor.2017.20

Cited by 46 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Hence, it is essential to concentrate on reforming formal institutions and capacity building for transparency, accountability, disclosure, and other principles of good governance. However, recent studies show that informal networks do not seem to disappear in emerging markets as they mature (e.g., on China, see Bian, 2017Bian, , 2018Bian, , 2019, nor are they superfluous in more advanced economies (e.g., on South Korea, see Horak & Klein, 2016). They seem to persist because of, or in spite of, their capacity to adjust to the dynamics of development in business, politics, and society.…”

Section: Introduction the Multifaceted Nature Of Informal Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Informal Networks: Dark Sides, Bright Sides, and Unexplored Dimensions

et al. 2020

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Informal networking can be seen as a positive activity with beneficial outcomes for individuals, firms, and society as a whole, but informal networking can also lead to collusion, cliques, nepotism, and other forms of unethical or corrupt conduct – largely related to research on emerging markets. To date, the construction of informal networks and their cultural intertwinement and development have not been a focus of international management and organization studies, a gap that this special issue seeks to address. This special issue contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of informal networks and their ambivalence, in which the same networks have different modes of operation and have positive and negative sides intermittently or simultaneously. We demonstrate the context in which informal networks operate, highlight their complexity, and encourage dialogue among scholars studying informal networks in a variety of countries. Using a context-based and comparative perspective allows us to conceptualize informal networks in a more integrated and balanced way. Understanding the workings of informal networking – known variously as guanxi, yongo, jentinho, wasta, and blat – in culturally specific settings, places Western values, social structures, and ideals of behavior in perspective and tests Western-centered assumptions, narratives, and theories. Because informal networking is a conventional way of conducting business in many countries, as depicted in this special issue, defining the bright (positive) and the dark (negative) sides of informal networks is critical for responsible management and business success at multinational corporations.

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Section: Introduction the Multifaceted Nature Of Informal Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Informal Networks: Dark Sides, Bright Sides, and Unexplored Dimensions

et al. 2020

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“…The contrast between guanxi and not- guanxi relationships holds up under closer scrutiny (Bian, 2017; Burt et al, 2018; Burt & Opper, 2017), but our interest in this article is the next step. Given the network definition of ‘ guanxi ’ relations in China, why wouldn't a similar kind of strong connection exist in the West?…”

Section: Iterative Methods Of Residuesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Comparative Network Research in China

Burt

Batjargal

2019

Manag. Organ. Rev.

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Using recent substantive results on China and the West, we highlight some virtues to Mill's method of residues for comparative network research. The result is research that combines the emic-etic approaches discussed by Leung (2009) with the spirit of Whetten's (2009: 49) efforts to make ‘theory borrowing more context sensitive’. We draw on recent comparative research about the competitive advantage enjoyed by network brokers, trust facilitated by embedding a relationship in a closed network, the subset of Chinese relations that constitute guanxi, the idea of American and European guanxi, different business environments maintained by the same network mechanism, cocoon networks, small-world networks, the longer history apparent in Chinese networks, and job search via colleagues, friends, and family. We also illustrate the value of data graphs for the expository value of the method of residuals in comparative network analyses.

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“…Quanxi is a cultural aura that defines the character of business relationships in China (Bian, 2017(Bian, , 2018(Bian, , 2019Guo et al, 2018;Opper, Nee, & Holm, 2017). It is seen as a form of social capital as well as a strategic capability of building relationships (Opper et al, 2017).…”

Section: Quanximentioning

confidence: 99%