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Gendered and sexualized guanxi: the use of erotic capital in the workplace in urban China

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  • Ling Tang

Abstract

By critically incorporating the concept of erotic capital, this research, which is based on an ethnographic study of female white-collar employees, discloses the gendered and sexualized dynamics of guanxi in urban China. The research first examines the male-centred standardized routine of guanxi through a detailed analysis of yingchou, a practice consisting of banquets and post-banquet activities, which can involve the use of women as subordinate ‘erotic gifts’. Then, a four-type characterization of white-collar women is developed which demonstrates ways in which women can achieve more agentic, and potentially equal, guanxi status. The types identified in the study are: ‘pseudo-brothers’, ‘rational legal professionals’, ‘the unreachable desired’, and ‘the unspoken rules followers’. Each type has a specific way of navigating the patriarchal structure of guanxi, though boundaries between types are blurred and women may change their strategy, and therefore their type, over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Ling Tang, 2020. "Gendered and sexualized guanxi: the use of erotic capital in the workplace in urban China," Asia Pacific Business Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(2), pages 190-208, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apbizr:v:26:y:2020:i:2:p:190-208
    DOI: 10.1080/13602381.2019.1701264
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    Cited by:

    1. Katarzyna Wojtaszczyk & Marzena Syper-Jędrzejak, 2022. "Erotic capital and its role in the assessment of candidates and employees: scale development and validation," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 49(4), pages 395-413, December.
    2. Li, Jun & Magda Nutsa, Kobakhidze & Qin, Hanyu, 2024. "Unveiling shadow admissions to lower secondary schools: Brokerage practices amid mainland China’s strong regulations on private tutoring," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).

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