The interpretation of Guanxi

The purpose of this research was to explore the influence of both Chinese and Western cultures within internationalised academic working environment, and examine how Chinese and Western academic members adapt values and perceptions in order to fit into multicultural working environment. The key focus of the study was on the cultural differences between Western and Chinese academics, with a particular emphasis on one of the main Chinese culture concepts, Guanxi. This research looks into how Guanxi is understood and adapted by both Chinese and Western academics, and how it influences
their attitudes at work. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are applied and critiqued as the main Western culture theory to examine the interaction between Western culture and Chinese Confucianism concepts. The key cultural theories are discussed, including national culture, Confucianism, and
Guanxi. Taking an interpretivist approach, this research was conducted in four different organisational contexts of internationalised higher education institutions in China and the UK. Participants were interviewed in four institutions. Key findings are Guanxi is closely related to four of Hofstede’s
cultural dimensions, and is more important for academics working in the Chinese context, particularly in terms of research related issues.