The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanics of guanxi in an organizational setting, focusing on the use of interpersonal relationships within Chinese firms to discover how firms initiate, build and use guanxi networks. Two richly detailed case studies document changes that take place over time in two distinct networks with respect to key actors and their contacts. This research also investigates patterns of social structure that emerge over time in these two distinct cases looking at brokerage relationships, network density, and dyadic redundancy in three waves at six month intervals. The cases are dissimilar in all aspects except absolute size demonstrating the universal use of guanxi across time, geographic location, specific industries, and firm experience. Dynamic network visualization is used to highlight the sequence and rate of activity in each network to identify salient changes. The findings show that firms seek to improve their organizational guanxi by improving existing employees’ guanxi quality within the firm and by recruiting new actors from outside the firm. Additionally, firms use organizational guanxi to expand their networks by forming cooperative partnerships with complementary organizations that enhance the attributes or potential of both organizations. And finally, firms initially exploit brokerage in organizational guanxi, then attempt to stabilize the network by fostering new ties to exclusive contacts.

Guanxi, Networks and Economic Development: The Impact of Cultural Connections

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Chinese social networks effect on job hunting

The contributors to this special issue have listed a number of important references in the main articles presented. China's social policy transformation is a burgeoning research area and available literature becomes outdated quickly. The sources in this section identify the most relevant current and past information relating to social policy and human rights in China. Some publications in this section are in Chinese as noted.

Ryan Gleeson

Papers

Some Useful Sources on Chinese Social Policy