Individual guanxi network and social exchange relations: an evidence from Malaysian hotel industry

Abstract

This research endeavour is aimed to judge direct and indirect effects of individual guanxi network on job involvement and finally impact of job involvement on in-role performance. Questionnaire was used as tool for data collection, 300 questionnaires were distributed to Malaysian–Chinese hotel employees at two points of time. Simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents from eastern part of Malaysia. Findings of the study confine that individual guanxi network significantly contributes to social exchange relations (perceived organisational support – POS and leadermember exchange – LMX), and job involvement. Guanxi network is having both direct and indirect effect (through mediation of POS and LMX) on job involvement. It validates the Blau social exchange theory. Testing mediation effects of LMX between guanxi network and social exchange relation (POS) is the main contribution of the study. Limitations, practical implication and future directions are also discussed.