Guanxi and intra-organizational conflicts: evidence from Chinese logistics industry

Atif Saleem Butt

Management Research Review, 2018, vol. 42, issue 4, 495-505

Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to understand conflicts that develop between managers and their respective firms when a personal relationship is present between managers of buying and supplying firms in the Chinese logistics industry. Design/methodology/approach - This research uses a case study methodology to allow for an assessment of the conflicts that emerge between managers and their respective firms when a personal relationship is present between them. Findings - The findings reveal conflicts between managers and their respective firms as a result of personal relationship between managers buying and selling logistics services in China. Research limitations/implications - This study uses semi-structured interviews with Chinese senior managers to explore intra-organizational conflicts, which develop as a result of personal relationships embedded within buyer–supplier relationships. The generalizability of the findings will have to be empirically examined in future research. Practical implications - Chinese firms can use the findings to understand conflicts, which arise between managers and their respective firms when a personal relationship is present between managers engaged in the process of buying and selling logistics services. Originality/value - A notable gap in buyer–supplier relationship literature, specifically in Chinese business culture, is an unfulfilled need for research examining intra-organizational conflicts, when a personal relationship is present between managers of buying and supplying firms in the logistics industry. This paper addresses this gap.

Keywords: Guanxi; Buyer-supplier relationship; Personal relationship; Conflicts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:mrrpps:mrr-05-2018-0193

DOI: 10.1108/MRR-05-2018-0193

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