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Between culture and satisfaction: mediating roles of renqin g perception and rules perception
Author(s) -
Ren Han,
Chen Charles Weizheng,
Chen Yuling
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
asia pacific journal of human resources
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.825
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1744-7941
pISSN - 1038-4111
DOI - 10.1111/1744-7941.12256
Subject(s) - perception , hierarchy , social psychology , psychology , job satisfaction , clan , organizational culture , sociology , public relations , political science , neuroscience , anthropology , law
Renqing is a culturally specific Chinese notion of the informal norms in society that are significantly different from the formal rules. This paper focuses on employees’ perception of renqing and of the rules in Chinese workplaces. Specifically, we define renqing (or rules) perception as the extent to which employees perceive that people’s actions in their organizations follow renqing norms (or formal rules). Conceptually and empirically, we find that both renqing perception and rules perception are two‐dimensional constructs. Drawing on social information processing theory, we propose the mediating mechanisms underlying organizational culture, employees’ perceptions of renqing and of rules, and their job satisfaction. Specifically, we hypothesize that clan culture will positively relate to renqing perception, while hierarchy culture will have a positive relation to rules perception; both will lead to higher job satisfaction. Results from two‐wave surveys of 325 Chinese employees provide largely consistent support for our hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.