The Dual Factor Relational Framework

• In Event: Cultural Identity and Social Identity

Abstract

Individualist and collectivist cultural frameworks have been the dominant research paradigm in cross-cultural studies in management research despite evidence of conceptual and measurement problems with collectivism. This paper describes the development and empirical testing of a new theoretical model of psychological functioning that captures some of the useful elements of collectivism without its drawbacks. The proposed framework takes into account the variety of relations in an individual’s social and cultural environment by including a structural-relational factor and a rational-relational factor. The structural factor is grounded in sociological structuration theory and relational orientation characteristics. The rational factor captures important aspects of agency and is based on social exchange theory. We describe in detail the procedures used to validate the dual-factor relational orientation framework’s dimensionality and validity. We discuss the model’s role in providing an alternative to methodological individualism and application in exploring differences among Confucian societies as well as cross-cultural differences.

Authors

• Yi-Hui Huang, Chinese U of Hong Kong

• Olwen Bedford, University of Macau

• Yin Zhang, Hong Kong Baptist University