Network Exchange Theory And Chinese Renqing Analysis

This thesis examines the basic characteristics of NET, types of network connections, power relations, emotional factors on the exchange of network, and the role of renqing in Chinese society.The thesis first introduces the research issues and directions of NET, showing that the basic idea of NET is that structure generated power; distinguishes five types of connection, including three basic types, which are exclusion, null and inclusion, and the two mixed types, which are inclusion- exclusion and inclusion- null; the thesis finally distinguishes three power relations of the network connections, i.e., strong power, equal power and weak power, showing the process of the discovery of weak power.In discussing the emotional research of social exchange, the author first introduces the background of bringing the emotions into social exchange theory, and then analyse how the emotions access to the social exchange process. The thesis described the impact of emotions on exchange context, process and results from three levels, six researches, showing that the rational and the emotional are intertwined. The emotions play an important role in social exchange.At the end, the author focuses on the basis in reality of the social network in China. By the author's internship experience in a certain state-owned enterprises, the thesis analyse the structural factors of the transition to market-oriented enterprises from state-owned, including the political factors of mixed development of military and civilian, the economic factors of the dominance of state-owned enterprises, the social factors of unit system and the traditional cultural factors, showing that constructing relationships is the most effective means of the non-institutionalized existence. The author found that social network is a resource allocation method, a mechanism of trust and commitment. It can reduce transaction costs, serve as the information bridge, and provide daily authority for the weak in structure. The study also found that social network is not only a static structure, but also a dynamic evolution process. People expand their network size by establishing and strengthening relationships. All in all, Chinese social network grows in a hidden controlled social environment. Renqing and mianzi are the Chinese people's tools. Cultural differences leads to various difference between NET and Chinese relationships. So we can't use the basic model of network exchange theory to examine the reality of social relations in China. We need analysis the role of renqing and mianzi in the Chinese social and cultural context.