Chinese Relational Sociology
An Analysis of the Theoretical Paradigm of Guanxi Studies in the Chinese Context
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21828719 |
|---|---|
| Authors | ZHANG Hanting (Chinese University of Hong Kong, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 59 |
| Publication date | 2024-07-31 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Asian Social Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1911-2017 • E-ISSN: 1911-2025 |
| Publisher | Canadian Center of Science and Education (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.5539/ass.v20n4p59 |
| OpenAlex | W4401194883 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 25 |
The concept of Guanxi refers to social ties that are empowered by cultural specificity in Chinese societies, with its purpose of motivating and utilizing embedded resources in networking structure and practices under the principles of Confucius regulation and norms set by actors. In this paper, the author comprehensively analyzes theoretical and empirical contributions to guanxi studies in the Chinese context, initiating further directions for its development. Currently, guanxi studies are dominated by the main paradigm of network analysis, while the cultural elements of its connotation are interpreted via anthropological perspectives. This paper argues a “relational turn” led by Mustafa Emirbayer, Harrison White, and Jan Fuhse that contributes to the interactive analysis of cultural and economic values in Relational Sociology (RS), which leads to a more sophisticated interpretation. Such perspective of theoretical approach, argues (1) the combination of localized and universal framework of theories in interpersonal communications, (2) moderation and inter-correlation in debates between constructivist and structuralist perspectives, and (3) interaction between economic and cultural elements
China · Connotation · Epistemology · Guanxi · Moderation · Political science · Relational theory · Sociology · Computer Science · Critical Realism in Sociology · Law · Psychology · Social and Cultural Dynamics · Social Capital and Networks · Social Psychology
The Prevalence and the Increasing Significance of Guanxi
Relational Sociology, Culture, and Agency
Social Capital
On the changing structure of social networks in urban China
Finding Cultural Holes
The Moral Registers of Banqueting in Contemporary China
Moral Economies of Food in Contemporary China
Interaction Rituals in Guanxi Practice and the Role of Instrumental Li
Networks and Meaning
The Field of Relational Sociology
From the Soil
Theorizing social networks
Relational sociology
Bringing Strong Ties Back in
I will empty it, be my guest
How Can Theories Represent Social Phenomena
Mobilizing Identities
Guanxi as Social Exchange
Motivations for ritual performance in bribery
The Meaning Structure of Social Networks
Manifesto for a Relational Sociology
Network Analysis, Culture, and the Problem of Agency
The structure of guanxi
The narrative constitution of identity
| Highly cited | No |
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