Guanxi in the Western Context: Intra-Firm Group Dynamics and Expatriate Adjustment

by Barbara Xiaoyu Wang

Overview

Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, the concept of guanxi has been widely researched from historical, cultural and political perspectives. As Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs) expand, expatriates are increasingly carrying guanxi with them to host countries, yet little has been written on how this indigenous construct is employed in the Western world. This book takes a theoretical approach to the examination of this phenomenon and proposes a conceptual framework for the ‘guanxi capitalism structure,’ illustrating its fundamental role as the invisible hand in China. Providing empirical analysis, the author demonstrates how guanxi affects intra-firm multicultural group dynamics involving Chinese expatriates and host-country natives in Chinese MNCs. With insights for scholars researching Asian business and globalisation, and practitioners working in Chinese MNCs, this book argues that guanxi significantly alters an expatriate’s adjustment, and offers practical suggestions for cross-cultural management and the process of initiating, building, and utilising guanxi in a Western context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030240004
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	07/05/2019
Edition description:	1st ed. 2019
Pages:	134
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Barbara Xiaoyu Wang is a Professor of Practice in Leadership and Academic Director (China) for Ashridge Executive Education at Hult International Business School, UK. She has extensive experience in management training and consulting for both Western and Chinese MNCs, and is co-author of Chinese Leadership (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011).

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.- 2. Conceptualisation of Guanxi.- 3. Guanxi Practices in Intra-Firm Multicultural Groups: The Case of Chinese MNCs.- 4. Developing Guanxi in the West: Chinese Expatriates' Adjustment in Europe.- 5. Cross-Cultural Guanxi Leadership.- 6. Conclusion.