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Supervisor–Subordinate Guanxi: Developing a Three-Dimensional Model and Scale

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2015

Ying Chen ,
Ray Friedman ,
Enhai Yu ,
Weihua Fang  and
Xinping Lu
Ying Chen
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University, USA
Ray Friedman
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University, USA
Enhai Yu
Affiliation:
North China Electric Power University, China
Weihua Fang
Affiliation:
Beihang University, China
Xinping Lu
Affiliation:
Capital University of Economics and Business, China
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Abstract

We develop a three-dimensional concept of supervisor-subordinate guanxi. This concept includes affective attachment, personal-life inclusion, and deference to supervisor. Based on this concept, we conducted three studies to develop and validate a three-dimensional supervisor-subordinate guanxi measure and to examine its relationship with related constructs, such as leader-member exchange. Results from Study 1 and Study 2 provide evidence of convergent and discriminant validity of the scale, while Study 3 demonstrates the scale's incremental validity and replicates results from Study 2. Furthermore, in Study 3, we found that the three dimensions of supervisor-subordinate guanxi had different significant effects on commitment, turnover intention, and procedural justice, providing further evidence of criterion-related validity. Overall, these empirical results provide support for our three-dimensional model of supervisor-subordinate guanxi.

Keywords

guanxi scaleleader-member exchangesupervisor-subordinate guanxi关系量表领导-成员交换上下级关系

Information

Type
Articles
Information
Management and Organization Review , Volume 5 , Issue 3 , November 2009 , pp. 375 - 399
Copyright
Copyright © International Association for Chinese Management Research 2009

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