The motivation of international entrepreneurship: The case of Chinese transnational entrepreneurs

Abstract

The ventures of Transnational Entrepreneurs (TEs) are a new business phenomenon, representing a fluid context in which established arrangements may be expected to change. In terms of one particular relationship, motivation has been found to be a key construct in International Entrepreneurship (IE) research, with two established features of motivation comprising entrepreneurial vision and its implementation. At the same time, nationality has been found to be a consistent influence on entrepreneurial orientation through the impact of culture. Employing qualitative case study methods, this paper investigates these relationships in the new context of the internationalisation of Chinese TEs socially embedded in their host and home countries. Subtle changes in established patterns of IE motivation are detected, and Chinese cultural influence may also be weakening to meet the environment of host countries.

The Embedding of Transnational Entrepreneurs in Diaspora Networks: Leveraging the Assets of Foreignness

“…Furthermore, although researchers have utilized traditional sociological approaches to examine entrepreneurial assets of specific ethnic groups (Fairlie and Meyer 1996;Dimitratos et al 2016), the effects of transnationalism and the interplay between social, human and financial capital from home and host countries within ethnic groups remains largely unexplored but of significant importance (Ilhan-Nas et al 2011). Prior research has shown that entrepreneurs' transnationalism has resulted in new forms of cosmopolitan identity, which is still foreign in nature when compared to host countries' identities (Wong and Ng 2002).…”

Analysing the Role of Framework Conditions Influencing International Entrepreneurial Opportunity Identification Process

“…IE is a well-established academic domain (Coviello, McDougall, & Oviatt, 2011;Dimitratos, Buck, Fletcher, & Li, 2016). It has been a flourishing field that has contributed to expanding the discussion on entrepreneurship.…”

The Importance of Cross-Cultural Capabilities for Chinese Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Australia

“…Furthermore, this research discovered that being bilingual and having bicultural flexibility can offer an advantage over non-immigrant entrepreneurs, particular to a new business phenomenon, transnational entrepreneurs, who are viewed as "unique animals" (Dimitratos et al, 2016). They exhibit flexibility in their foreign ventures and also actively engage in two socially embedded environments (Crick & Chaudhry, 2013).…”

“…Furthermore, language is seen as a key indicator of cultural identity (Liu, 2011), and the lack of local language proficiency may present cultural adaptation problems. Moreover, with Chinese traditional Confucian culture, Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs may have to reconcile their "cultural baggage" with the harsh realities of modern economic life (Dimitratos, Buck, Fletcher, & Li, 2016;Yang & Stening, 2013).…”

“…Middleman minority has also explained the early generation of transnational entrepreneurs (Terjesen & Elam, 2009), who are immigrants concurrently maintaining business-related links with their home country and host country (See Table 2.1) (Dimitratos et al, 2016;Drori et al, 2009;Ginsberg, 2010;Riddle, Hrivnak, & Nielsen, 2010;Saxenian, 2002). The time-consuming nature of international trade creates the roles of middlemen minorities (Rubinstein & Wolinsky, 1987), who can be agents, brokers, or rent collectors in international trade and commerce (Bonacich, 1973 (Light, 2008;Terjesen & Elam, 2009).…”