Two not of a kind: Social network theory and informal social networks in East Asia

Abstract

In this study, we analyze the core assumptions and ideals of social network characteristics in East Asia and the West. By using an analytical frame derived from the literature and consisting of key antecedents of social networks, we find differences between the conventional assumptions of social network characteristics when comparing them with those found in East Asia. Moreover, we find remarkable intra-regional differences. Among these, and contrary to common beliefs about social networks, we find weak ties are neither truly effective nor preferably used in East Asia, where strong ties are both more preferred and more powerful. Further, social ties tend to be rather consummatory and networks rather closed. Also, depending on the nature of the network, bridging either does not work or is not intended. We recommend further studies explicitly taking local context into account in order to refine or reframe extant knowledge on social networks.

Reconceptualizing and Redirecting Research on Guanxi: ‘Guan-Xi’ Interaction to Form a Multicolored Chinese Knot

“…Meanwhile, how guanxi networks, as a special kind of social network, emerges and evolves with dyads also remains unclear. Although some similarities and differences between guanxi and social capital have been identified (e.g., Horak, Taube, Yang, & Restel, 2019), few studies discuss the interaction between dyads and networks. Moreover, little is known about the cultural and historical roots of guanxi in China.…”

The unique research on the informal ties and social networks in East Asia: Diverse perspectives and new research agenda

“…To lend further support for the argument about the persisting informal ties and networks, informal ties and networks still thrive in both Japan and South Korea despite their completely modern status as the advanced societies, as shown in the two conceptual studies by Horak and colleagues (Horak, Taube, Yang & Restel, 2019;.…”

“…As for the first research question, it is critical to recognize that there are not only major differences between the East and the West, but also significant intra-regional distinctions between China, Japan and South Korea, especially with the last two as one group in contrast to China as somewhat exceptional in the East Asia. This is demonstrated in the article by Horak and colleagues (Horak et al, 2019). It is clear that Japan and South Korea share a number of informal characteristics, such as their emphasis on ascribed bases, strong ties, sentimental logic, and closed network structure, in contrast to the focus of Chinese informal ties and networks on a balance between both ascribed and achieved bases, both strong and weak ties, both instrumental and sentimental logics, and both open and closed network structures.…”

“…The second major implication from the nine articles in this Special Issue is that informal ties and networks in the context of East Asia tend to differ in certain fundamental ways from those in the context of the West. For instance, in the conceptual article after the above meta-analysis (Horak et al, 2019), the salient distinctions between the East and the West are compared, with the former focusing more on the stronger ties with the greater sentimental motives than instrumental ones in contrast to the latter focusing more the weaker ties with the greater instrumental motives than sentimental ones. The contrast between the East and the West has been further elaborated by the role of emotion in informal ties and networks in the study by Yang and Horak (2019).…”

The Asian Paradigm in Hospitality and Tourism

“…The hospitality and tourism industries are highly contingent on societal changes and the external environment and, thus, require timely access to innovative ideas for prompt strategic responses (Agheorghiesei & Valentin, 2009). People, organizations, and societies with strong social networks or ties are advantageous for attaining novel ideas and solutions (Horak et al, 2019). Furthermore, tourism development requires the cooperative efforts of various stakeholders, and social capital can be a key ingredient in facilitating these endeavors (Nunkoo, 2017).…”