Chinese Journal of Sociology

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Transnational Participation and Social Networking: The Interaction between Strong and Weak Ties of Chinese American Scientists

Author 1:Sun Xiao’e, Institute for Empirical Social Science Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University;Author 2:Bian Yanjie, Institute for Empirical Social Science Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University.   

  1. Author 1:Sun Xiao’e, Institute for Empirical Social Science Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University;Author 2:Bian Yanjie, Institute for Empirical Social Science Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University.
  • Online:2011-03-21 Published:2011-03-21
  • Contact: Sun Xiao’e, Institute for Empirical Social Science Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University . E-mail:elainesun@mail.xjtu.edu.cn
  • About author:Author 1:Sun Xiao’e, Institute for Empirical Social Science Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University;Author 2:Bian Yanjie, Institute for Empirical Social Science Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University.

Abstract:

There are two models regarding the role of social network in the jobsearch process: the hypothesis of weak ties versus the hypothesis of strong ties. In examining the transnational participation of 30 Chinese American scientists, our indepth interview study has found out that it is the team work of strong and weak ties that matches the knowledge and skills of Chinese American scientists with the need and demand of Chinese institutes, and thus successfully promotes the transnational collaboration between the two parties. Strong ties provide connection, rapport, and support for keeping promises/quality while weak ties supply resources and institutional support in transnational participation for the Chinese American scientists. The important finding in the current study that the mutual complementary relationship of the strong and weak ties in the jobsearch networks contributes to the theoretical hypotheses of strong and weak ties, enriches the research tradition in the field of jobsearch networks, and may provide guidance for the transnational participation of talented scholars. 

Key words: transnational participation , social networking , strong ties  , weak ties