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The dynamics of guanxi in Chinese hightech firms: Implications for knowledge management and decision making

Author

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  • Ping Ping Fu

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    Arizona State University
    Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (on leave))

  • Anne S. Tsui

    (Peking University)

  • Gregory G. Dess

    (International Association for Chinese Management Research
    University of Texas at Dallas
    Xi’an Jiaotong University)

Abstract

This paper employs multiple theoretical perspectives — resource-and knowledge-based views as well as social network theory — to explore the dynamics of guanxi in the context of Chinese entrepreneurial firms. We propose a dynamic model and offer multiple propositions for researchers to examine the role of guanxi for knowledge management and decision-making at various developmental stages of such firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Ping Ping Fu & Anne S. Tsui & Gregory G. Dess, 2006. "The dynamics of guanxi in Chinese hightech firms: Implications for knowledge management and decision making," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 277-305, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:46:y:2006:i:3:d:10.1007_s11575-006-0048-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-006-0048-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Davison, R.M. & Martinsons, M.G. & Ou, C.X.J., 2012. "The informal entanglement of knowledge, Guanxi and technology : Evidence from China and a new theory," Other publications TiSEM 0868b515-2454-4d02-9e40-b, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    2. Hubner, Sylvia & Frese, Michael & Song, Zhaoli & Tripathi, Neha & Kaschner, Tamara & Le Kong, Xing, 2022. "An Asia-centric approach to team innovation: Cultural differences in exploration and exploitation behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 408-421.
    3. Shao, Zhen & Pan, Zhengyuan, 2019. "Building Guanxi network in the mobile social platform: A social capital perspective," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 109-120.
    4. Liu, Yipeng & Almor, Tamar, 2016. "How culture influences the way entrepreneurs deal with uncertainty in inter-organizational relationships: The case of returnee versus local entrepreneurs in China," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 4-14.
    5. Isaac Kofi Mensah & Guohua Zeng & Chuanyong Luo, 2023. "Determinants of Social Commerce Purchase and Recommendation Intentions Within the Context of Swift Guanxi Among Chinese College Students," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, June.
    6. Zhao, Xinyu & Shang, Yufan & Lin, Jun & Tan, Jia & Li, Haiyun & Liu, Ting, 2016. "Leader's relational power: Concept, measurement and validation," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 517-529.
    7. Shu, Rui & Ren, Shenggang & Zheng, Yi, 2018. "Building networks into discovery: The link between entrepreneur network capability and entrepreneurial opportunity discovery," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 197-208.
    8. Deng, Wei & Hubner-Benz, Sylvia & Frese, Michael & Song, Zhaoli, 2023. "Different ways lead to ambidexterity: Configurations for team innovation across China, India, and Singapore," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(3).
    9. Gao, Hongzhi & Knight, John G. & Yang, Zhilin & Ballantyne, David, 2014. "Toward a gatekeeping perspective of insider–outsider relationship development in China," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 312-320.
    10. Gregory G. Dess & Brian C. Pinkham & Haibin Yang, 2011. "Entrepreneurial Orientation: Assessing the Construct's Validity and Addressing Some of Its Implications for Research in the Areas of Family Business and Organizational Learning," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 35(5), pages 1077-1090, September.
    11. Karen Wang & Yue Wang & Kai-Ping Huang & Jingsong Deng, 2012. "Heterogeneous networks and resource acquisition of SMEs in emerging economies," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 46(5), pages 1643-1657, August.
    12. Yuan Sun & Mengyi Zhu & Zuopeng (Justin) Zhang, 2019. "How Newcomers’ Work-Related Use of Enterprise Social Media Affects Their Thriving at Work—The Swift Guanxi Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-20, May.
    13. Wu, Wen-Kuei & Wang Chiu, Singa, 2016. "The impact of guanxi positioning on the quality of manufacturer–retailer channel relationships: Evidence from Taiwanese SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 3398-3405.
    14. Huan Zou & Xiaoyun Chen & Pervez Ghauri, 2010. "Antecedents and consequences of new venture growth strategy: An empirical study in China," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 393-421, September.
    15. Jar-Der Luo & Meng-Yu Cheng & Tian Zhang, 2016. "Guanxi circle and organizational citizenship behavior: Context of a Chinese workplace," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 33(3), pages 649-671, September.
    16. Haibin Yang & Gregory G. Dess & James A. Robins, 2019. "Does entrepreneurial orientation always pay off? The role of resource mobilization within and across organizations," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 565-591, September.
    17. Bao Cheng & Yan Peng & Ahmed Shaalan & Marwa Tourky, 2023. "The Hidden Costs of Negative Workplace Gossip: Its Effect on Targets’ Behaviors, the Mediating Role of Guanxi Closeness, and the Moderating Effect of Need for Affiliation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 182(1), pages 287-302, January.
    18. Debmalya Mukherjee & Satish Kumar & Naveen Donthu & Nitesh Pandey, 2021. "Research Published in Management International Review from 2006 to 2020: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Directions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(5), pages 599-642, October.
    19. Garry Bruton & Gregory Dess & Jay Janney, 2007. "Knowledge management in technology-focused firms in emerging economies: Caveats on capabilities, networks, and real options," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 115-130, June.
    20. Bernardo Balboni & Guido Bortoluzzi & Moreno Tivan & Andrea Tracogna & Francesco Venier, 2014. "The Growth Drivers of Start-up Firms and Business Modelling: A First Step toward a Desirable Convergence," Management, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 9(2), pages 131-154.
    21. Yunxia Zhu, 2009. "Managing Business Relationships in New Zealand and China," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 49(2), pages 225-248, April.
    22. Lau, Chung Ming & Bruton, Garry D., 2011. "Strategic orientations and strategies of high technology ventures in two transition economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 371-380, July.

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