Title: Subordinate and supervisor relationship through the lens of Guanxi: first empirical research in Vietnam

Authors: Trang Huyen Kim; Thai Hong Dang; Hong Thi Bui; Linh Cu Khanh; Anh Minh Tran

Addresses: Ithaca College, 953 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA ' Ybox Inc., 8th Floor – HITTC Building, 185 Giang Vo Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi City, Vietnam ' Foreign Trade University, 91 Chua Lang St., Lang Thuong Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam ' University of Herfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK ' Hanoi Law University, 87 Nguyen Chi Thanh St., Lang Tuong Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract: Guanxi, the concept of personal non-work connection and interactions in professional contexts, offers a culturally relevant approach in investigating Vietnamese supervisor-subordinate relationship. Thus, this research aims to assess Vietnamese enterprises under the model developed by Chen et al. (2009). Examining 494 workers in major cities, this research pioneers recognising Vietnamese Guanxi under two dimensions, personal-life inclusion and deference to supervisors, and discerning significant differences in these dimensions amongst company hierarchy, age and seniority. Particularly, differentiation from Guanxi in China was found regarding gender. These findings characterise Guanxi in Vietnam and open doors for future application in HR management, adaptation of export firms working with local sellers/buyers and localisation of international firms in Vietnam through an in-depth understanding of workplace relationships.

Keywords: subordinate-supervisor relationship; Guanxi; personal-life inclusion; deference to supervisors; Vietnam.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEXPORTM.2022.127782

International Journal of Export Marketing, 2022 Vol.5 No.1, pp.50 - 72

Received: 25 Nov 2021
Accepted: 06 Aug 2022

Published online: 16 Dec 2022 *

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