Guanxi in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Guanxi in China - Essay Example Guanxi consists of definite reciprocal obligations, affirmations, and knowledge, which are the attributes that guide Chinese approaches towards durable businesses and social relationships. Guanxi can therefore be generally taken to mean social relationships or connections with the presumption of extended exchange of favors. This makes it more than a simple interpersonal relationship or friendship; this is especially due to the fact that there are complementary obligations to act towards any calls for support. Despite the fact that interpersonal relations are characteristic of every society, Guanxi is special given that it is broad and plays a central role in everyday life. The formation of Guanxi depends on the availability of a base; it can be formed from different kinds of bases such as relatives, friendship, kinship, schoolmates, workmates, relatives, family members, club members, and hobbies. For an individual in the Chinese society, affiliation with a particular base has an attr ibute of personal identification with others that are equally important to him or her. For example, a work experience is important to two people with workmate Guanxi, while an educational experience is important to two people with classmate or schoolmate Guanxi. From this, it is clear that Guanxi bases can either be social bases or blood bases. Social bases result from social interactions; they include Guanxi’s between classmates, schoolmates, workmates, friends, and club members, while blood bases result from blood relations; they include Guanxi’s between family members, relatives, kins among others. Blood or family Guanxi’s are perceived as the most important of all Guanxi’s, since in Chinese societies the family is viewed as the basic unit of society, and relationships from this base tend to be stronger. 2. Building a Guanxi As mentioned earlier, Guanxi’s are built upon family relations, friendship, kinship and other types of close relations in the society. There are a number of principles that guide the establishment, implementation and maintenance of a Guanzi. These include transferable, reciprocal, intangible, utilitarian, contextual, long-term oriented and personal. The approaches employed in building Guanzi’s are also several; they include exchanging favors, giving gifts, socialization, recommendations or intermediary referrals, club membership, entertainment, government support, corporate credibility, and social reputation. From the information discussed, it is important to note that trust is a central attribute surrounding the formation, implementation, and maintenance of a Guanzi. For the formation of a Giuanizi, there is need for a social interconnection or a blood relationship among individuals. Recommendations or intermediary referrals are important in building linkages between individuals with no intimate commonality. The intermediary is often a person known to both individuals and it is through him or h er that they get to know each other better, and build a relationship base on trust that culminates into a Guanxi. Common links are the easiest way that people use to get into a Guanzi. This is mainly because people with similar characteristics are more attracted to each other, understand each other, and have empathy towards each other. In order to build a Guanxi, there is need for an individual to stay in contact with colleagues in his circle by visiting them, exchanging gifts with them, and through greetings. Through this, contacts are built; however, uncertainties and mistrust may still exist and therefore the second step should involve earning trust. There are many ways of earning trust; however, the best way is through helping when a person is going through a