Trust, job security and subordinate–supervisor guanxi: Chinese employees in joint ventures and state-owned enterprises

ABSTRACT

This study presents a model that links the constructs of trust in supervisor and trust in organizations with job security and subordinate–supervisor guanxi, and examines their effects on turnover intention and organizational citizenship behaviour. To test the hypotheses, two data-sets of 294 joint venture employees and 253 state-owned enterprise employees in China were analysed. The results of LISREL supported the proposed model. Due to the different HRM practices in joint ventures and state-owned enterprises, several major differences had been found in this study. The findings provide practical implications for managing employees in both Chinese joint venture and state-owned enterprises.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• organizational citizenship behaviour
• subordinate–supervisor guanxi
• trust in organization
• trust in supervisor
• turnover intention