China Social Science Review

No.3, 2022

The Contribution, Limitations and Extensions of Emotional Labor Theory: Introducing an Analysis of Relational Dimension Theory

(Abstract)

Zhang Yangbo

Emotional labor theory is an important analytical perspective for academic research on the service sector. Hochschild presents us with the main theoretical perspectives in terms of the transformation of emotional systems and the operation of emotional labor. The theory has contributed to the development of the sociology of labor and the sociology of emotions, but there are still shortcomings relating to the social consequences of emotional labor and the interaction between workers and clients, shortcomings that can be remedied by relational dimension theory. This reveals that Western emotional labor theory presupposes a loose relationship as the starting point for interpersonal interaction in a society that places more emphasis on individual rights and wishes than on the influence of relationships. However, the importance of relationships in Chinese society, where fixed relationships are the starting point for human interaction, is even more pronounced. As it happens, there are three types of relationship that can be used to illustrate the labor-client relationship in different industries.