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Guanxi networks and job searches in China's emerging labour market: a qualitative investigation

Author

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  • Xianbi Huang

    (University of Queensland, Australia, xianbi.huang@uq.edu.au)

Abstract

This article examines whether guanxi networks are still influential in China's emerging labour market in light of economic liberalization. In-depth interviews with 65 Chinese job searchers show that guanxi networks influence job search and acquisition in a considerably transformed state sector, when jobs are highly desirable or when jobs are `soft-skill' and thus job performance is hard to measure, quantify or monitor. The influence of guanxi networks is, however, limited, resisted or eliminated when large corporations, mostly in the non-state sector, adopt transparent and standardized procedures to screen and recruit the most qualified candidates. Guanxi ties and professional ties are also interconnected in employment processes and professional ties are potentially transformable into guanxi ties.These results are discussed from institutional and cultural perspectives to contribute to a social network approach to labour market research in Chinese and non-Chinese societies.

Suggested Citation

  • Xianbi Huang, 2008. "Guanxi networks and job searches in China's emerging labour market: a qualitative investigation," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 22(3), pages 467-484, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:22:y:2008:i:3:p:467-484
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017008093481
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Matias Ramirez & Xibao Li & Weifeng Chen, 2013. "Comparing the Impact of Intra- and Inter-regional Labour Mobility on Problem-solving in a Chinese Science Park," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(10), pages 1734-1751, November.
    3. He Chen & Tianguang Meng, 2015. "Bonding, Bridging, and Linking Social Capital and Self-Rated Health among Chinese Adults: Use of the Anchoring Vignettes Technique," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Sven Horak & Markus Taube, 2016. "Same but different? Similarities and fundamental differences of informal social networks in China (guanxi) and Korea (yongo)," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 33(3), pages 595-616, September.
    5. Zhiming Cheng, 2014. "Layoffs and Urban Poverty in the State-Owned Enterprise Communities in Shaanxi Province, China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 116(1), pages 199-233, March.
    6. Zhongda Li & Jianhao Lin & Lu Liu, 2020. "Occupational attainment and stratification in China: The interactive effects of social networks and the hukou system," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 1167-1192, August.
    7. Tommy Tse & Xiaotian Li, 2023. "Recoupling Corporate Culture with New Political Discourse in China’s Platform Economy: The Case of Alibaba," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(6), pages 1544-1564, December.
    8. Kim, Y. & Gao, F.Y., 2013. "Does family involvement increase business performance? Family-longevity goals’ moderating role in Chinese family firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(2), pages 265-274.
    9. Menghan Zhao & Yongai Jin, 2020. "Migrant Workers in Beijing: How Hometown Ties Affect Economic Outcomes," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(5), pages 789-808, October.
    10. Weng, Yulei & Xu, Hao, 2018. "How guanxi affects job search outcomes in China? Job match and job turnover," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 70-82.

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