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Organization Studies
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The Characteristics of Chinese Personal Ties (Guanxi): Evidence from Hong Kong

Irene Hau-Siu Chow

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Ignace Ng

University of Victoria, Canada

A widely held view in management is that guanxi(or Chinese personal connections) are a key element in the success of East Asian economies. In spite of their importance, very little is known about the various characteristics of guanxi. Using data obtained from Hong Kong respondents, we found that classmates, club members, and family friends are guanxibases from which the respondents developed close relationships. Contrary to expectations, associates who work with the respondents or are distant family relatives, or both, tend to have distant relationships with the respondents. We also found that the effect of gender on the closeness of relationships is asymmetrical, with female-to-female dyads being close and male-to-male dyads being distant. Further, our study shows that there is a tendency to request ‘costly’ favors from family members instead of nonfamily members. Lastly, we provide some evidence linking the size of one’s network to one’s ‘face’ in society. Overall, the results suggest a weakening of the family unit in Chinese societies.

Key Words: guanxi • network • Chinese values • relational demography • family • ‘face’

Organization Studies, Vol. 25, No. 7, 1075-1093 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0170840604045092
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[Abstract] [PDF]