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

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