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Guanxi and innovation in China : insights from the (bio-based) construction sector

Losacker, Sebastian LU ; Becker, Tim and Shang, Yongmin (2025) In Innovation and Development
Abstract

This paper explores the role of guanxi in facilitating innovation within the Chinese construction sector. Guanxi, denoting the network of trust-based relationships, is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and orchestrates innovation activities. As the construction sector shifts toward bio-based building materials, understanding how guanxi influences innovation activities becomes crucial for the sector’s sustainability transition. Through qualitative research involving expert interviews, we examine how guanxi varies along the construction value chain, between bio-based and conventional materials, and among Chinese and foreign stakeholders. Our findings reveal that guanxi is particularly important in smaller firms and academic institutions,... (More)

This paper explores the role of guanxi in facilitating innovation within the Chinese construction sector. Guanxi, denoting the network of trust-based relationships, is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and orchestrates innovation activities. As the construction sector shifts toward bio-based building materials, understanding how guanxi influences innovation activities becomes crucial for the sector’s sustainability transition. Through qualitative research involving expert interviews, we examine how guanxi varies along the construction value chain, between bio-based and conventional materials, and among Chinese and foreign stakeholders. Our findings reveal that guanxi is particularly important in smaller firms and academic institutions, where personal relationships drive innovation collaborations. In contrast, larger organizations and international partnerships 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.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
bioeconomy‌, construction sector, Guanxi, innovation networks, innovation systems, sustainability transitions
in
Innovation and Development
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:105009483224
ISSN
2157-930X
DOI
10.1080/2157930X.2025.2518825
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
16859081-33e5-4ffe-9477-38c659393061
date added to LUP
2026-01-14 15:03:30
date last changed
2026-01-14 15:03:59
@article{16859081-33e5-4ffe-9477-38c659393061,
  abstract     = {{<p>This paper explores the role of guanxi in facilitating innovation within the Chinese construction sector. Guanxi, denoting the network of trust-based relationships, is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and orchestrates innovation activities. As the construction sector shifts toward bio-based building materials, understanding how guanxi influences innovation activities becomes crucial for the sector’s sustainability transition. Through qualitative research involving expert interviews, we examine how guanxi varies along the construction value chain, between bio-based and conventional materials, and among Chinese and foreign stakeholders. Our findings reveal that guanxi is particularly important in smaller firms and academic institutions, where personal relationships drive innovation collaborations. In contrast, larger organizations and international partnerships 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.</p>}},
  author       = {{Losacker, Sebastian and Becker, Tim and Shang, Yongmin}},
  issn         = {{2157-930X}},
  keywords     = {{bioeconomy‌; construction sector; Guanxi; innovation networks; innovation systems; sustainability transitions}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Innovation and Development}},
  title        = {{Guanxi and innovation in China : insights from the (bio-based) construction sector}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2025.2518825}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/2157930X.2025.2518825}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}