Guanxi and leader member relationships between American managers and Chinese employees : open-minded dialogue as mediator
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Asia Pacific Journal of Management
Publication Date
6-1-2007
Volume
24
Issue
2
First Page
171
Last Page
189
Keywords
Guanxi, Leader-member relationships, Open-minded dialogue
Abstract
Effective open relationships with employees can help foreign managers rely upon and utilize the local knowledge of their employees. One hundred and sixty-three Chinese employees from various industries in China were surveyed on their relationships (leadership-member relationship and personal guanxi) with American and Chinese managers, their constructive controversy, that is, their constructive controversy with them, and the job assignments and promotions received from their managers. Results support the hypotheses that quality leader-member relationship and personal guanxi promoted their constructive controversy, which in turn facilitated employees receiving challenging jobs and promotions. Results suggest that leader-member relationship and Chinese value of guanxi may be important for enhancing their constructive controversy; this kind of open dialogue can be a foundation upon which American managers can develop the confidence to give their Chinese employees challenging tasks and promotions.
DOI
10.1007/s10490-006-9029-9
Print ISSN
02174561
E-ISSN
15729958
Publisher Statement
Copyright © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2007
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chen, Y.-f., & Tjosvold, D. (2007). Guanxi and leader member relationships between American managers and Chinese employees: Open-minded dialogue as mediator. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 24(2), 171-189. doi: 10.1007/s10490-006-9029-9