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

Li, Peter Ping; Zhou, Steven Shijin; Zhou, Abby Jingzi; Yang, Zhicong

doi:10.1017/mor.2019.36

Cited by 31 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 107 publications

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“…Thus, there are differences in the conceptualization of informal networks in the West and elsewhere (e.g., Russia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Arab Middle East). In addition, much of the network research focuses on either network dyads ( guan in guanxi ) or network structure ( xi in guanxi ), as pointed out by Li et al (2019). Research on informal networks would benefit by integrating these two perspectives.…”

Section: Discussion and Outlookmentioning

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: Discussion and Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2020

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“…And the public sector can set an example for other consumers by implementing GPP, and guide them to conduct green procurement, in turn influencing firm's environmental certification practice. On the Guanxi plays an imperative part in business activities (Li, Zhou, et al, 2019;Xue et al, 2018). And GPP practice acts as an important bridge for firms to develop Guanxi network with public sectors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This relationship is known as Guanxi in China, which is a durable social relation and network where organizations exchange favors to achieve their objectives (Gu et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2018). Given Chinese traditional culture and its special social background (Li, Zhou, et al, 2019), Guanxi plays a significant role in China's business activities (Zhan et al, 2018), even occupies the dominant position (Lovett et al, 1999). Guanxi is conducive to strengthening cooperation between organizations (Xue et al, 2016;Xue et al, 2018), the cooperation between public sectors and firms for instance.…”

Section: Institutional Theory and Market Demandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does green public procurement encourage firm's environmental certification practice? The mediation role of top management support

Liu

Appolloni

et al. 2020

Corp Soc Responsibility Env

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The environmental certification acts as a sustainable practice for firms to improve their competitive advantage and its motivation has been widely discussed. However, existing researches ignore the important market driving force of green public procurement (GPP) as a policy tool. To fill this gap, this study, focusing on manufacturing firms in China and three typical environmental certifications, explores the relationship between GPP market pressure and firm's environmental certification practice based on institutional theory. Additionally, from a strategic perspective of green human resource management, this study unveils the influence mechanism of top management support in this relationship by using upper echelons theory. According to the empirical results, we find that GPP market pressure is positively associated with environmental certification practice, and top management support partially mediates this relationship. This study provides new insights into the explanation of firm's environmental certification practice, and provides practical implications for firm managers and government administrator.

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“…In order to develop a holistic understanding of wasta and the main theoretical perspectives from which it has been studied, we conducted a systematic literature review of wasta research. The benefit of a systematic review for wasta is made evident by similar reviews conducted on guanxi and published in Management and Organization Review (Chen et al, 2013; Li, Zhou, Zhou, & Yang, 2019). These studies tied the existing literature together and provided suggestions for advancing research on guanxi .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wasta: Advancing a Holistic Model to Bridge the Micro-Macro Divide

Ali

Weir

2020

Manag. Organ. Rev.

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This article offers a synthesis of understandings of wasta, seen as a form of social network prevalent in the Arab Middle East. Whilst there has been increasing interest in this practice, research remains fragmented and has been criticised for its limited theoretical rigor. To address this issue, a systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles exploring wasta published between 1993 and 2019 was conducted. We analysed the identified papers according to the theoretical lens from which wasta was viewed, creating a bridge between a theoretical focus on the macro aspect of wasta and an alternative focus on its micro aspects, leading to the development of a holistic model of wasta. The model also helps us to understand the complexity of wasta, both as the network itself and as the social ties that exist among its members, and sheds light on the complex nature of the role and interactions of the wasta. The findings respond to calls for more holistic and inclusive research to inform social networks research and bridge the micro–macro divide. This article offers recommendations to future researchers to build on the holistic and emic approach to wasta research adopted here.

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

Cited by 31 publications

References 107 publications

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

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

Does green public procurement encourage firm's environmental certification practice? The mediation role of top management support

Wasta: Advancing a Holistic Model to Bridge the Micro-Macro Divide

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