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Guanxi, social capital theory and beyond : Toward a globalized social science
Qi, Xiaoying
Qi, Xiaoying
Author
Abstract
Western theoretical traditions can benefit from systematic engagement with non-Western concepts: This is shown through an analysis of the Chinese concept guanxi. After considering the general nature of guanxi, including its possible association with corrupt practices and its particular cultural characteristics, the paper goes on to identify the elements of its general form which have universal representation. The possibility of conceiving guanxi as a variant form of social capital is explored. This shows the way in which both the expressive and instrumentalized forms of guanxi indicate otherwise neglected aspects of social and economic relationships not always recognized and addressed by analogous terms current in social theory but which are none the less important for its advancement.
Keywords
Guanxi, social capital, trust, gift, reciprocity, globalization
Date
2013
Type
Journal article
Journal
British Journal of Sociology
Book
Volume
64
Issue
2
Page Range
308-324
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Controlled
Open
Open
Notes
This record includes the peer reviewed version of the following article:Qi, X. (2013). Guanxi, social capital theory and beyond: Toward a globalized social science. The British Journal of Sociology,64(2), 308-324. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd., which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12019. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.