Abstract
Instant messaging (IM) has become increasingly prevalent in social life. However, the use of IM at work remains controversial, owing to its unclear benefits to organizations. In this study, we employ media performance theories and the concept model of communicative ecology to examine the impact of an IM tool on shaping guanxi (i.e., interpersonal relationship) networks in the workplace. Specifically, we propose that IM has the potential to enhance guanxi networks by improving communication quality and building interlocutors' mutual trust in the workplace. The conceptual model is validated with 253 survey responses collected from working professionals in China. The data indicate that communication quality and mutual trust contribute to the development of guanxi networks. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1153-1168 |
| Journal | Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Online published | 21 Mar 2015 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2016 |
Publisher's Copyright Statement
- COPYRIGHT TERMS OF DEPOSITED POSTPRINT FILE: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Ou, C. X. J., & Davison, R. M. (2016). Shaping Guanxi Networks at Work through Instant Messaging. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 67(5), 1153-1168, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.23447. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.