Guanxi deviant behaviour in the Chinese cultural context

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to define the concept of guanxi deviant behaviour (GDB) initially on the basis of a theoretical study of guanxi, guanxi behaviour and workplace deviant behaviour and to analyse the influence of GDB and the relationship between GDB and counterproductive work behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThis study collects interview data from 30 enterprise executives, summarises relevant literature from four major databases (two in English and two in Chinese) and applies a grounded theory methodology to refine and further define the core category of GDB, and the main category is interpreted and validated using triangulation.FindingsThe three dimensions of GDB are guanxi bribery behaviour, irregular connected transaction behaviour and guanxi allied behaviour. There are links amongst the three dimensions, no dimension has an independent existence and that is not the end of the GDB issue. Generally, the occurrence of a kind of GDB can be construed to be a preparation for the implementation of another kind, and the latter is the real purpose of the perpetrators.Social implicationsThis paper is expected to attract the attention of managers and improve the ability of recognising, preventing and punishing GDB.Originality/valueThis study not only enriches organisational behaviour theory but also enhances the awareness of, and insights into, the negative effects of guanxi.