Chinese guanxi in computer-mediated communications (CMC): a scoping review of business and management studies

ABSTRACT

Over the past several decades, Guanxi research has garnered considerable attention from business and management scholars, primarily focusing on traditional aspects. This scoping review aims to broaden this perspective by investigating the relationship between online Guanxi and computer-mediated communications (CMC) interactions within the business management domain. Analysing 67 studies from business and management journals spanning 2008 to 2024, we explore the role of CMC in facilitating the development of Chinese Guanxi and its impact on key business outcomes. Additionally, we synthesize key insights through tables and propose several promising avenues for future research in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• computer mediated communications
• guanxi
• literature review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniel Gulanowski

Daniel Gulanowski is an Assistant Professor of International Business at the Sprott School of Business of Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses on international business and management. His research takes an interdisciplinary approach, centring on the connection of knowledge creation, online technologies, and global mobility within an international business context. His research focuses on computer-mediated communication, cross-cultural management, newcomers’ adjustment and labour market integration, and internationalization. His publications in these areas include peer-reviewed articles in the Human Relations, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Review of International Business and Strategy, and Journal of International Technology and Information Management. He has also written several book chapters and has presented his research at more than 30 international scholarly conferences. In addition, he is an Editor for the IB division of the ASAC.

Elisa Zheng

Elisa Zheng is a research assistant and fourth-year undergraduate student at the Sprott School of Business of Carleton University in Ottawa. Her research focuses on computer-mediated communication and cross-cultural management. She presented her research at several conferences, such as ASAC and AIB.