| Summary: | This paper investigates the relevance of guanxi (关系) as a cultural factor
in knowledge transfer exchange (KTE), on an individual level, in the
Chinese university-industry context. Adopting a qualitative case-study
approach, with data from 50 interviews, this work brings a fresh view to
the role of social networks as a cultural value in university researchers’
participation in KTE activities. In addition, this paper breaks the
traditional linear view toward guanxi. Instead, it adopts a dynamic,
dialectical, and holistic perspective towards the role of guanxi in KTE
processes in the context of Chinese universities. It has been found that
during the KTE process, guanxi networks should be balanced with the
appropriate infrastructure, qualified staff, and financial investment to
obtain successful outcomes. This study enriches the existing literature on
the determinants that affect KTE researcher participation by highlighting
the role of guanxi as a cultural factor.
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