Ethnic entrepreneurial motivations and learning: the case of Chinese entrepreneurs across two generations

Abstract

Ethnic entrepreneurship has been researched in a number of studies and several main themes have been developed to explore foreign immigrants’ entrepreneurial motives. Some suggest immigrants’ choice of self-employment is related to discrimination they receive in their host countries which creates a push factor for these individuals to pursue entrepreneurship. Another contributing factor to ethnic entrepreneurship is ‘blocked mobility’, which is often caused by constraints such as language barriers and lack of education.

On the other hand, a trend has been established that the younger ethnic generation are moving into higher value and higher repaying jobs. There is support indicating the differences in education level between first and second generation ethnic entrepreneurs, in particular the distinction between ‘desirability’ and ‘feasibility’ has major influences on entrepreneurial motivations.

It has also been raised that research carried out on entrepreneurial learning is far from reaching critical mass and limited research has been dedicated to the topic of Chinese ethnic entrepreneurial learning. Furthermore, some suggest the study of entrepreneurial learning is starting to move away from individual’s context and emphasising more on learning from the experiences and contact with others.

This exploratory research used a generational comparative approach in semi structured, face to face interviews with ten first generation and ten second generation Chinese entrepreneurs in the island of Ireland. The research study also adopted a ‘life story’ narrative approach, to gain access to their practices, personality, learning processes and historical background.

This research contributed to minority entrepreneurial theory by offering insights from an intergenerational study of Chinese entrepreneurs. Extant literature can be widely found on intergenerational issues within family business firms, yet exploring such issues beyond the family business context is important. Conclusions also highlighted future direction for integrating the first and second generation to preserve the Chinese ethnic culture for the next generation and beyond.

Thesis is embargoed until 31st August 2018

Date of Award	Aug 2016
Original language	English
Sponsors	Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)
Supervisor	Pauric Mc Gowan (Supervisor), Alison Hampton (Supervisor) & Mark Durkin (Supervisor)