From Guanxi to Relational Space : Proximity and Cross-Cultural Strategies of a Chinese Entrepreneur in Japan

This study explores how Chinese entrepreneurs in Japan navigate multiple forms of proximity to embed themselves in a foreign business environment and construct guanxi which is trustbased, culturally rooted personal networks.Moving beyond the traditional guanxi-centered approach, the research adopts the concept of relational space to explore how entrepreneurs engage with institutional, social, organizational, cognitive, and geographical proximities.Based on a qualitative case study approach using interviews, document analysis, and secondary data, the study identifies key mechanisms through which entrepreneurs adapt to Japan's unique institutional and cultural landscape.Findings reveal that guanxi is not simply transplanted but strategically reconstructed through engagement with various proximity dimensions.Institutional proximity is built through both ethnic reliance and self-adaptation, while social and organizational proximities facilitate hybrid trust structures blending Chinese relational norms with Japanese procedural logic.Geographical and cognitive proximities, such as preference for culturally comfortable locations like Osaka which further support spatial and emotional embeddedness.The study also identifies four types of relational spaces including ethnic networks, cross-cultural business arenas, informal learning spaces, and cultural comfort zones that incubate adaptation and innovation.Theoretically, the study contributes to proximity theory by showing that proximities are not fixed but selectively constructed and negotiated.It also offers a relational reinterpretation of guanxi in cross-cultural settings.Practically, the research provides actionable insights for foreign entrepreneurs aiming to build hybrid guanxi and for policymakers seeking to enhance inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.Limitations include regional specificity, qualitative scope, and the lack of bi-directional perspectives from Japanese stakeholders.Future research could explore proximity dynamics across regions and integrate quantitative methods for broader generalization.