The Delta of Chinese Management Guanxi, Rule of Law and the Middle Way

This book explores the differential mode of people management in the Chinese context. Based on years of ethnographic research, this book illustrates how and why the guanxihu phenomena exist across different organisations and thus, the guanxi-hu could break the ‘organisational laws’ (e.g. structure and system; rules and regulations; policies and procedures). By focusing on personnel practices within organisations, the book provides an outlook for keeping indigenous management with Chinese characteristics. Most importantly, this book offers significant insights into how to ‘manage people’ in the private and public sectors within the Chinese cultural and institutional environment. The delta of Chinese management will appeal not only to academics and researchers who have an interest in management and Chinese studies, but also to expatriates and practitioners who are engaged in doing business and managing people with/in China.

Jane Jian Zhang has earned her PhD degree from the University of Bristol. She was the recipient of the Book Prize and WUN (Worldwide University Network) RMP (Research Mobility Programme) Awards in the UK. She has covered top leadership and management roles both in NGOs and in the commercial sector. She is now holding senior managerial and teaching positions in consulting firms and higher education institutions across China and the UK. Her research interests include Chinese Management, International Business and Cross-cultural Management.