Current Research
My research is currently focussed on two broad areas.
I am presently concerned with a number of connected issues in economic sociology, including those of self-interest and personal identity, the so-called 'collective action problem', principal-agent relations, and more generally the formation and nature of market relations. Overall, this research is directed to exploring the benefits to sociological theorizing of critical engagement with recent developments in economic science.
I am also continuing research on Max Weber's oeuvre and the issues it raises for sociological theory and analysis. The current focus of this project is on Weber's account of Chinese religion and especially its relationship to the prospects of capitalist development. In particular, research on both Daoism and familial capitalism within overseas-Chinese communities as well as within the People's Republic of China is brought to bear on the argument and implications of Weber's The Religion of China: Confucianism and Taoism.
Supervision
I am pleased to supervise PhD students in any area of study incorporating aspects of my current research interests described above as well as particular themes in the sociology of emotions, sociological theory, and economic sociology.