Factors influencing the formation of Chinese and American entrepreneurs
| Date | 19 April 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20452101311318675 |
| Published date | 19 April 2013 |
| Pages | 54-66 |
| Author | Prestin Lewis,Lu Wei,Yin Hao,Li Yong,Louis C. Vaccaro |
| Subject Matter | Strategy |
Factors influencing the formation
of Chinese and American
entrepreneurs
Prestin Lewis, Lu Wei, Yin Hao and Li Yong
School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC),
Hefei, China, and
Louis C. Vaccaro
Siena Heights University, Adrian, Michigan, USA
Abstract
Purpose – There is a dearth of literature aimed at understanding the Chinese entrepreneur.
There are even fewer studies that compare Chinese and American entrepreneurs. As the
interdependence of the economic superpowers continues to grow, it becomes increasingly
important to understand similarities and differences between the two groups. Furthermore,
researching the two groups can result in greater understanding of the entrepreneur. The purpose
of this paper is to look at how economics, culture and policy influence the formation of established
successful entrepreneurs.
Design/methodology/approach – In this study Chinese and American researchers collected
responses from 279 Chinese and American established entrepreneurs in China and the USA. The goal
of the research is to develop greater understanding of how culture, economics and policy influence the
formation of their ventures.
Findings – The study’s results indicate a significant difference in Chinese and American response to
policy. The significant differencein policy response might justify fu rther research, and could indicate
that policy is more important to the Chinese entrepreneur.
Originality/value – A contribution to existing entrepreneurial theory was made regarding the
similarities of networking regardless of cultural environment. A three-dimensional conceptual model
was used, measuring culture, economics and policy.
Keywords China, United States of America, National cultures, Entrepreneurialism,
Entrepreneurship, Culture, Economics, Policy
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Increasing globalization is causing the world to shrink. Pervasive globalization is
increasing the interdependence of consumers, suppliers, producers and governments
around the world (Knight, 2000). China and the USA are prime examples of
interdependence resulting from globalization. There appears to be a lack of research
in China and the USA aimed at understanding the differences and similarities of
individual entrepreneurship formation. This study is an effort to fill some of this gap.
We also believe that as globalization increases the value of understanding individual
entrepreneur formation between economically interdep endent countries will increase
as well. It is highly likely that entrepreneurs from China and the USA will need to
understand each other better in order to work together more effectively in the future.
Part of the problem is that many elements of entrepreneurial formation remain a
mystery to researchers. If we cross-examine entrepreneurs in sep arate successful
economic societies, which are very different culturally, then it might be possible to shed
light on some of the factors influencing entrepreneurial formation.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/2045-2101.htm
Journal of Entrepreneurship and
Public Policy
Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013
pp. 54-66
rEmeraldGroup PublishingLimited
2045-2101
DOI 10.1108/20452101311318675
54
JEPP
2,1
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