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Asian Indigenous Psychologies in the Global Context pp 223–247Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

How Does Trust Relate to Guanxi in the Chinese Workplace? An Integrated Dynamic Model

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Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Indigenous Psychology ((PASIP))

Abstract

This chapter illuminates the relationship between ‘guanxi’ (particularistic ties between two people) and trust in a workplace context. First, a review of sociological and historical perspectives on guanxi is presented in order to identify broad similarities between guanxi and interpersonal trust. Their component parts are analyzed and compared to the prevailing Western model of workplace trust. Four cultural differences in the meaning of affective bonds are identified: expectations for the boundaries, content, length, and moral norms of the relationship . The implication of these differences is that the Western model of workplace trust may not be suitable for describing Chinese workplace relations. A new integrated model of dynamic guanxi and trust processes that reflects indigenous Chinese values is proposed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

    Olwen Bedford

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  1. Olwen Bedford
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

    Kuang-Hui Yeh

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Bedford, O. (2019). How Does Trust Relate to Guanxi in the Chinese Workplace? An Integrated Dynamic Model. In: Yeh, KH. (eds) Asian Indigenous Psychologies in the Global Context. Palgrave Studies in Indigenous Psychology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96232-0_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96232-0_10

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