New Publication: Guanxi and innovation in China
June 13, 2025
Online
Dr Sebastian Losacker, Tim Becker, and Yongmin Shang have published a new research article in Innovation and Development. Entitled “Guanxi and innovation in China: insights from the (bio-based) construction sector”, the study explores the role of guanxi, denoting the network of trust-based relationships, in driving innovation in China’s construction sector.
Drawing on qualitative expert interviews, the authors analyse how guanxi varies along the construction value chain, between bio-based and conventional materials, as well as between Chinese and international stakeholders.
The findings reveal that guanxi is particularly important in smaller firms and academic institutions, where personal relationships drive innovation collaborations. Larger organisations and international partnerships, by contrast, tend to rely more on formal networks and expertise. In bio-based construction, guanxi plays a critical role in accessing resources and knowledge, fostering innovation through established personal networks.
