與市場共欣榮：華北小鎮地方網絡的創造性轉化

The Transformation of Local Market Networks in Rural China 1979~1999

本文主要探討改革開放以來，中國大陸的地方網絡，如何在經濟角色與組織結構兩方面，進行逐步的自我改造。作者發現：隨市場經濟的進展，農村中原有的社會網絡，將與市場機制相互包容，擔負起配合與支持市場交易的任務。為因應其角色轉變，地方網絡的組織結構，亦相應調整。結果則表現為有限關係的勃興與等級關係的式微。藉此研究，作者希望能說明：鄉鎮企業如何透過地方網絡的逐漸轉化，乃能持續繁榮與擴張。

As we know, personal networks (guanxi) have been central to the Chinese way of doing business. But how do they change given the current economic transformation? Based on data collected in a small town (zhen), this paper examines the impacts of market transition on the networks between China's rural entrepreneurs. We find that these networks have experienced a 'creative transformation,' a process that contributes to the expansion of China's rural enterprises (TVEs). Through reform, the business networks there have not been replaced by the impersonal price mechanism. Instead, they have gradually transformed into 'weak ties' (durable but mostly contracted partnership). Given such transformation, these ties now play an active role in facilitating the market transactions of TVEs. In addition, the local networks in rural China also have transformed away from 'vertical ties' (relationships between unequals). Although some enterprises continue to rely on state patronage, many others (especially those most successful on the market) are growing out of their dependence on local officials. Nowadays, these entrepreneurs are seeking alliances with other enterprises to capture market opportunities; for these individuals, government-business relations are not as crucial and lopsided as they used to be.