Guanxi and Unethical Behavior in the Chinese Workplace: Job Satisfaction As a Mediator

Abstract

We explored the effects of guanxi prevalence and guanxi practices on 3 types of unethical work behavior (UWB), proposing that job satisfaction would mediate the relationship between guanxi in the workplace and employees' UWB. Data were collected from 379 employees working for companies in China. Results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that guanxi prevalence had a positive relationship with property-related UWB and conventional and minor (ordinary) UWB, such as doing personal business in company time. Guanxi practices had a significant positive relationship with violation of laws and regulations, property-related UWB, and ordinary UWB. Both guanxi prevalence and guanxi practices had a significantly negative relationship with job satisfaction, and job satisfaction had a significant negative correlation with violation of laws and regulations, property-related UWB, and ordinary UWB. Job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between guanxi prevalence and ordinary UWB. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.