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Institutional Transformation and Changing Networking Patterns in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2016

Jianjun Zhang ,
Wei Zhao  and
Yanlong Zhang
Jianjun Zhang*
Affiliation:
Peking University, China
Wei Zhao
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA Shanghai University, China
Yanlong Zhang
Affiliation:
Peking University, China
*
Corresponding author: Jianjun Zhang (jjzhang@gsm.pku.edu.cn)
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Abstract

Drawing insights from the institutional embeddedness perspective, this article explores the changing patterns and significance of two types of strategic networking along with the institutional transformation in China. Using two-wave survey data on Chinese private firms, we find that after the state relaxed its control of resources the importance of networking with the state tends to decline, while ties with market actors become increasingly important. Determinants of network investment have shifted from managers’ perceived importance of different types of network ties to a firm's immediate institutional environment. Finally, the impact of networking on firm growth has also altered over time. These findings advance our understanding of the crucial role of the institutional environment in shaping firms’ networking strategies and have important theoretical and practical implications.

摘要:

摘要:

借鉴制度嵌入视角的见解, 本文探讨了伴随中国制度转型的两种战略人际网络的变化模式和意义。利用中国私企两波调查数据, 我们发现, 在国家放宽了资源控制之后, 与国家的人际网络的重要性趋于下降, 而与市场参与者的联系变得越来越重要。人际网络投资的决定因素已经从管理者所感知的不同类型网络关系的重要性转移到企业直接的体制环境。最后, 人际网络对企业成长的影响也随着时间的推移而改变。这些研究结果促进我们了解制度环境塑造企业人际网络战略的关键作用, 具有重要的理论和实践意义。

संस्थागत अंतःस्थापना (इंस्टीट्यूशनल एम्बेडेडनेस) परिप्रेक्ष्य के आधार पर यह शोध पत्र संस्थागत रूपांतरण और दो प्रकार के सामाजिक कूटनीतिक संजालों (स्ट्रैटेजिक सोशल नेटवर्क) का अन्वेषण करता है. चीनी फर्मों के द्वितरंगीय आंकड़ों के आधार पर हमने यह पाया की राज्य के संसाधनों पर नियंत्रण घटने पर सामाजिक संजालों का प्रभाव कम हो जाता है और साथ ही बाजारपरक शक्तियां उत्तरोत्तर महत्त्वपूर्ण होती जाती हैं. संजालीय निवेशों का आधार प्रबंधकों द्वारा अनुमानित विभिन्न प्रकार के संजालों के महत्व के बजाय फर्म का सन्निकट संस्थागत परिवेश हो गया है. साथ ही संजालों का फर्म के प्रवर्धन में प्रभाव समय के साथ बदलता दिखता है. यह शोध परिणाम सांस्थानिक परिवेश में संजाल कूटनीति पर अहम प्रभाव को उजागर करते हैं. इन परिणामों का महत्त्वपूर्ण सैद्धांतिक और व्यावहारिक आशय है.

Desenvolvendo percepções a partir da perspectiva da integração institucional, este artigo explora as mudanças nos padrões e no significado de dois tipos de conexão estratégica em redes (guanxi) juntamente com a transformação institucional na China. Usando dados de pesquisa de empresas privadas chinesas em dois momentos, descobrimos que depois que o estado reduziu seu controle sobre recursos, a importância do relacionamento em rede com o Estado tende a diminuir, enquanto que os laços com os agentes de mercado tornam-se cada vez mais importantes. Os determinantes do investimento em relacionamento em redes mudaram da importância percebida pelos gestores de diferentes tipos de laços com a rede para o ambiente institucional imediato da empresa. Finalmente, o impacto do relacionamento em redes sobre o crescimento da firma também se alterou ao longo do tempo. Esses achados avançam nossa compreensão sobre o papel crucial do ambiente institucional na formulação de estratégias de conexão das empresas e têm implicações teóricas e práticas importantes

Аннотация:

Аннотация:

На основании теории институциональной принадлежности, данное исследование посвящено тому, насколько структура и значимость двух типов стратегических связей меняется в зависимости от институциональной трансформации в Китае. Используя данные двух-ступенчатого опроса китайских частных компаний, мы обнаруживаем, что после ослабления государственного контроля над ресурсами важность взаимодействия с государством уменьшается, в то время как связи с рыночными игроками становятся все более значимыми. Определяющим фактором для развития связей становится непосредственная институциональная среда компании, а не восприятие менеджерами важности тех или иных связей. Наконец, влияние связей на развитие компании также меняется с течением времени. Эти выводы проясняют важную роль институциональной среды в формировании стратегических связей, а также имеют важное теоретическое и практическое значение.

Esbozando interiorizaciones de la perspectiva de integración institucional, este artículo explora los patrones cambiantes y el significado de dos tipos de relacionamiento estratégico en redes junto con la transformación institucional en China. Usando datos de una encuesta de dos ondas en empresas privadas Chinas, encontramos que después que el Estado disminuyó el control de los recursos la importancia de relacionamiento en redes tiende a disminuir, mientras que los nexos con actores del mercado se vuelven cada vez más importantes. Los determinantes de la inversión en relacionamiento en redes han mutado de la importancia percibida por los gerentes de distintos tipos de vínculos a la red hacia el ambiente institucional inmediato de la empresa. Finalmente, el impacto del relacionamiento en redes en el crecimiento de una empresa se ha modificado con el tiempo. Estos hallazgos avanzan nuestro entendimiento del importante rol del ambiente institucional en la conformación de las estrategias de relacionamiento en red de las empresas y tiene importantes implicaciones teóricas y prácticas.

Keywords

institutional theorysocial networkstransitional economy
Type
Articles
Information
Management and Organization Review , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , June 2016 , pp. 303 - 331
Copyright
Copyright © The International Association for Chinese Management Research 2016 

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