This study was based on the materials which were provided by in-depth interview. And we apply Elster's definition of class that combined behavior and endowments to explain the behavioral characteristics of workers in between(referred to the mobile population who left their rural community during the era of economic reform and found jobs in an industrial urban society). Meanwhile we compared with Walder's description of workers in the state-owned enterprise. Thus we explore to describe social relations of workers in between in Shenzhen factory, including the social interaction among workers in between and interaction between workers in between and the management....[ Read more ]

This study was based on the materials which were provided by in-depth interview. And we apply Elster's definition of class that combined behavior and endowments to explain the behavioral characteristics of workers in between(referred to the mobile population who left their rural community during the era of economic reform and found jobs in an industrial urban society). Meanwhile we compared with Walder's description of workers in the state-owned enterprise. Thus we explore to describe social relations of workers in between in Shenzhen factory, including the social interaction among workers in between and interaction between workers in between and the management.

Workers in between in Shenzhen factory are less dependent on the factory when compared with workers in a state-owned enterprise. "Guanxi" had been recognized as an integral part of Chinese corporate culture, however, in my case, we noted that these personal connections with the managerial staff had its limitation as the workers compensated on a piece rate. Those who had personal connection with the management were more likely to be employed by the factory than those who did not have friends or relatives working in the factory. Differences of attitude were towards the factory owner between the new workers and the old workers. The attitudes and behavioral changes earmarked the gradual but eventual transformation of the new worker into the old worker. Kinship network functions as a primary determined force was to "pull" perspective workers in between to the destination. The longer they stayed in the factory, workers in between tended to rely more and more on their workmanship network than their kinship network. To say it in a worker's word -- "Having a good neighborhood is much better than help from relatives back in your hometown"( Yuanqinburujinling).