• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.24-44
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• 2008

Regulation theories has paid little attention to spatial regulation processes, while it has focused on economic and social regulation processes. More specifically, there have been little researches on regulationist approach to the transformation of the post-socialist system in the context of the space economy. Therefore, the article has attempted to conceptualize the transformation of space economy under the post-socialist system in the light of regulation theories. The space economy could be regarded as the foundation of the reproduction of social relations. Thus, the transformation of post-socialist system has led to the fundamental changes in enterprise and industrial networks as well as social relations in spatial contexts. In this perspective, the research has attempted to identify 'the mode of enterprise regulation' regarded as a codified firm networks by investigating intra-, inter- and extra-firm relations associated with the transformation of post-socialist system. Also, it has intended to suggest three types of the space economy - (1) disembedded economies based on the isolated networks and dissolution of pre-existing networks, (2) embedded economies based on the interaction of institutions and restructuring of networks, and (3) over-embedded economies based on the insulated institutions and endurance of pre-existing networks-in accordance with the governance, institution and networks in the post-socialist system.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.657-670
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• 2011

China has gone through rapid economic growth due to transitional economies since 1978. In particular, Chinese transitional economies has led to fundamental changes in firms' activities under the socialist system. Nevertheless, Chinese firms have formed new industrial production organizations and spatial orders by sustaining personal networks based on existing traditional firm practice, which is called 'guanxi'. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to identify the influence of personal networks, guanxi, on the business activities of Chinese firms by investigating the formation of guanxi mechanism. The main characteristics of guanxi represented in inter-firm relations are as follows. First, guanxi has played a role in facilitating inter-firm relations and business activities, because it has an inter-debt relations based on inter-reciprocal relations between firms. Second, Chinese firms has depended on posteriori guanxi rather than inherent guanxi by the internalization of personal networks through 'guanxi communicators'.Third, guanxi between firms and local government in extra-firm relations has been established to minimize risks from unstable legal regulations.