Empowerment and Entrepreneurship on WeChat: A Focus on Shared Stories of Muslim Women Entrepreneurs in China

Abstract

New media entrepreneurship is already the most popular business model today. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the motivation and strategies of Muslim women entrepreneurship on WeChat. Design/ Methods/ Methodology - Using a qualitative research design, the data for our survey was obtained from 8 female entrepreneurs in Yiwu City. The authors conduct in-depth interviews methods to enable women to express their stories and experience voluntarily and truly in entrepreneurship activities. The interview data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found that factors such to increase family income, intention to experience into entrepreneurial activities, and the ease of new media technology, have prompted Muslim women to start an online business. Furthermore, using WeChat, entrepreneurs and customers establish emotional connections to promote business development. Another key factor was also elaborated in this study where Muslim women strive to balance the relationship between family and their business. Implications and conclusion were also described in this research.