Using guanxi to conduct elite interviews in China

Drawing on two research projects in China, this article provides three contributions to the literature on elite interviews. First, we demonstrate how guanxi (informal, particularistic and personal connections) can help gain access and build trust with elite Chinese interviewees in a dynamic rather t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative research : QR Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 900 - 920
Main Authors: Li, Hongqin, Harvey, William S, Beaverstock, Jonathan V
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.08.2023
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects:
Elites
Heuristic
Interviews
Researcher subject relations
Salience
Sensemaking
elite leaders
interviewing
sensegiving
Guanxi
sensemaking
ISSN:1468-7941, 1741-3109
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Drawing on two research projects in China, this article provides three contributions to the literature on elite interviews. First, we demonstrate how guanxi (informal, particularistic and personal connections) can help gain access and build trust with elite Chinese interviewees in a dynamic rather than a static manner. Second, we show the relational and ongoing process of elite interviewing, combining the sensemaking and sensegiving efforts of the interviewer and interviewee. We introduce the concept of sense-becoming to describe how researchers can develop a sense of strategy for future interviews. Third, we highlight the value of guanxi and co-positionality for the interviewer and interviewee to enhance interaction during interviews. We conclude by providing a heuristic for conceptualising the salience of guanxi and sensemaking for elite interviews in China.
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ISSN:1468-7941
1741-3109
DOI:10.1177/14687941211063486