Harmony

The Confucian 'Doctrine of the Mean' urges individuals to avoid competition and conflict, and to maintain inner harmony (Hsu 1947). It has been found that traditional Chinese cultural values and cognitive orientations have influenced the Chinese people to preserve overt harmony by avoiding confrontation and to adopt a non-assertive approach to conflict resolution (Kirk- bride et al 1991). Guanxi cannot survive without harmony between two parties in a relationship. Without harmonious relationships, trust cannot be established, face cannot be saved, reciprocity will not continue and no further guanxi can be established.

It is now evident that the key factors which help sustain and develop networks overlap with the key Chinese cultural values. This is why the network as a form of organizational governance is so widespread in both China and overseas Chinese communities.