The influence of relation-based and rule-based regulations on hiring decisions in the Australian and Hong Kong Chinese cultural contexts

Abstract

Investigation of the cultural factors that may influence the employment decisions of managers is of increasing importance in the global business environment. The purpose of this research is to examine whether particularistic ties based on friendship influence hiring practices in relation-based (Hong Kong Chinese) and rule-based (Australian) cultural contexts. Three studies were conducted to examine this research question. Results indicate that friendship-based particularistic ties, specifically guanxi and mateship, can influence hiring decisions in both relation- and rule-based cultural contexts. The results of the studies have implications for human resource managers with regards to staffing organizations operating in different cultural contexts.

Keywords:

• Relation-based regulation
• rule-based regulation
• particularistic ties
• hiring decisions

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by a Direct Allocation Grant from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and partially funded by a Strategic Research Grant from the City University of Hong Kong. This research was partially completed while the first author was a Visiting Scholar at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.