Garbage in - garbage out: Researching the real world of China
Presented by Associate Professor Mike Willis, School of Business, University of Ballarat
Wednesday, 20 August 2008, 1.30-2.30pm in Room B906
Abstract
With the current Olympics being held in Beijing, global attention is certainly focussed on China - this endlessly fascinating and often misunderstood nation.
This research seminar discusses the author’s recent research on one of the most commonly citied - and perhaps misunderstood * aspects of Chinese cultural behaviour particularly as related to a Sino foreign business context.
This is the issue of guanxi, or, perhaps to be more specific, the concept of personal networks and associated relationships formed between like minded people for the purpose of mutual benefit. Open any book on “How to do Business with China” and the term guanxi leaps out. Liker some kind of Sino mantra guanxi is often seen as a key to successful business in China. But do we actually even know what it really means? Perhaps so * but, then again, perhaps not. Welcome to the real world of China.
Research undertaken in 2007 and recently published (by the author) in the Journal of International Consumer Behaviour indicates that the old fashioned, and somewhat clichéd (and certainly simplistic) view of “guanxi” may be almost a misnomer: in fact within the world of guanxi there are a wide range of levels, and types, of personal networks which can be exercised for a range of functions and shared value not all of which is related to business at all. Over 30 types and levels of networks have been identified to date and more are on the way. The aim of this presentation is to uncover and delve into the true world of guanxi and associated personal networks and associated relationships in China --- and, also, to warn against the simplistic and somewhat uni-dimensional view often given to these types of “terms” as they might or indeed might not (at all) to apply in China. Do we really understand China - no, not at all.
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