The dilemma of renqing in ISD processes: interpretations from the perspectives of face, renqing and guanxi of Chinese cultural society

Abstract

This article explores the way in which the resource allocator (RA) uses information knowledge to wield power in the information system development (ISD) process, and achieve goals of self-interest. We analyse these power methods through the lens of the ‘renqing dilemma’ in ISD processes – a theoretical model of face and guanxi in Chinese cultural society. This study relies on qualitative data collected over 19 months from TaiWire (pseudonym) in the form of interviews, documented data, archival data and observation. The article goes on to interpret the way in which the RA manipulates his/her power when requests are made to him/her, and highlights the influence of face (mianzi), favour (renqing) and relation (guanxi) in this manipulation of power. In practice, the detailed descriptions used to describe the operating power process in ISD processes can help in similar cases to show how to reduce or prevent the negative consequences of such behaviour.