African Journal of
Business Management

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1993-8233
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJBM
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 4198

Full Length Research Paper

Identifying the relationships among Guanxi, political climate and power bases—Evidence from Taiwan

Shang-Pao Yeh1, Alex Maritz2 and Ping Feng Chao3*
1Department of Tourism, I-Shou University, Taiwan, ROC, No.1, Sec. 1, Syuecheng Rd., Dashu District, Kaohsiung City 840, R. O. C. 2Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, William Street, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia. 3Department of Information Communication, University of Kang Ning, Taiwan, ROC, No. 188, Sec. 5, An Chung Rd. A Nan District, Tainan 70970, Taiwan, R. O. C.  
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 28 February 2011
  •  Published: 06 September 2011

Abstract

Although Guanxi, political climate, and power are common business practices in the workplace, the popularity in research has yet to be intensified. This study aims to explore the effects of Guanxi, political climate, and power bases and the moderating effects of political climate. Questionnaires were issued to workers across service and manufacturing industries and 1099 valid responses were collected. The results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated significant relationships between Guanxi and power bases in various patterns. Significant relationships also emerged between political climate and power bases. Partial mediating effects of political climate were found between the relationships of Guanxi and power bases. Recommendations, suggestions, and conclusions were also presented on the basis of the empirical findings. 

Key words: Guanxi, political climate, politics, power, power bases.