From Friendship to Family:Jiangyiqiand Strong Interpersonal Relationship Development in Chinese Organizations

Abstract

ABSTRACTMoral obligation, reciprocity, and affection contribute to the development of strong interpersonal relationships. An indigenous notion in Chinese culture,jiangyiqi, captures these three component principles of strong relationship development in one concept.Jiangyiqihas been held anecdotally as a common code of conduct for building strong, trustworthy relationships in China. We explore the possible integration of these three components of interpersonal relationships in Chinese society in our introduction of the construct ofjiangyiqi, based upon Confucian ethics and the circles of relationships delineated in past literature on Chinese societies. Drawing from social exchange theory as well as the perspective of reciprocal altruism in evolutionary biology, we propose thatjiangyiqimakes an individual a good candidate for developing strong non-kin relationships. We discuss the managerial implications ofjiangyiqifor relationship building in a Chinese cultural context.