How do Expatriate Managers Draw the Boundaries of Moral Free Space in the Case of Guanxi?

The ethics of talent management practices in China, exploring the role of guanxi in talent recruitment and talent development

“…Some studies have stated that guanxi has a positive effect on organisational performance, with such benefits as substituting for formal legal structure (Xin and Pearce, 1996), lowering transaction costs (Standifirf and Marshall, 2000), providing a competitive advantage (Tsang,1998). The ethical issues of guanxi have been examined in specific contexts such as international business (Ulusemre and Fang, 2021), social media (Zhou et al, 2020) and sales management (Li and Sun 2017). However, few studies examined guanxi influence on TM ethics.…”

“…Guanxi practices are the norm in China and continue to permeate Chinese society (Ulusemre and Fang, 2021). Although some business ethics literature on guanxi explored guanxi's positive aspects (Chen and Tjosvold, 2006), other literature noted that if guanxi is used inappropriately, it may result in unethical behaviours, such as nepotism and corruption in the Chinese context (Fan,2002;Huang 2008;Chen and Chen 2009).…”

Is Guanxi Ethical? Evidence from Medical Reps in China

“…[22] Many western scholars have a large number of negative evaluations of guanxi because they are guided by the contractual conventions and legal constraints of western society. [23] According to ethical relativism, guanxi needs to be examined from the perspective of Chinese society, and Feng (1996) has describes that there is a general perception in China of the potential benefits and positive effects of guanxi. [24] Most notably, guanxi allows for more human kindness in a law-based society.…”

The ethics of talent management practices in China, exploring the role of guanxi in talent recruitment and talent development

“…Some studies have stated that guanxi has a positive effect on organisational performance, with such benefits as substituting for formal legal structure (Xin and Pearce, 1996), lowering transaction costs (Standifirf and Marshall, 2000), providing a competitive advantage (Tsang,1998). The ethical issues of guanxi have been examined in specific contexts such as international business (Ulusemre and Fang, 2021), social media (Zhou et al, 2020) and sales management (Li and Sun 2017). However, few studies examined guanxi influence on TM ethics.…”

“…Guanxi practices are the norm in China and continue to permeate Chinese society (Ulusemre and Fang, 2021). Although some business ethics literature on guanxi explored guanxi's positive aspects (Chen and Tjosvold, 2006), other literature noted that if guanxi is used inappropriately, it may result in unethical behaviours, such as nepotism and corruption in the Chinese context (Fan,2002;Huang 2008;Chen and Chen 2009).…”