Entrepreneurial preparedness: an exploratory case study of Chinese private enterprises. Issue 4 (27th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: L. Wang, Catherine; Rafiq, Mohammed; Li, Xiaoqing; Zheng, Yu
• Is Part Of: International journal of entrepreneurial behaviour & research. Volume 20:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 374
• Publication Date: 2014-05-27
• Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- Periodicals; Small business -- Periodicals; 338.04
• DOI: 10.1108/IJEBR-06-2013-0079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-2554

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – The purpose of this paper is to advance the conceptualisation of entrepreneurial preparedness (EP), and study how EP occurs in new venture creation and management. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – The paper primarily draws evidence from an exploratory case study of two Chinese high-tech private enterprises operating in the healthcare industry in Beijing, following a two-stage sampling process: informal, purposive sampling; and formal, theoretical sampling. Qualitative data collected from multiple semi-structured interviews within each firm were analysed using a thematic analytical framework. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – The paper advances the conceptualisation of EP as a cumulative, social and purposeful learning process. Accordingly, the paper highlights the roles of experiential learning, social learning and entrepreneurial goals (both performance and learning goals) as mechanisms that enable EP in entrepreneurial management. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</title> <p> – The findings reveal idiosyncrasies of EP in a particular context. Future research may investigate different types of entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial firms. Furthermore, this study uses triangulation of retrospective interview data with concurrent interview and secondary data. Future research may pursue concurrent longitudinal case study data to unpack real-time events in entrepreneurial management. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Practical implications</title> <p> – The findings have practical implications for entrepreneurs and "would-be" entrepreneurs to better understand their learning needs and how they can prepare themselves for entrepreneurial challenges. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – EP as an emerging concept within the entrepreneurial learning (EL) literature requires conceptual and empirical development. The paper advances the conceptualisation of EP, supported with empirical evidence. By articulating the cumulative, social and purposeful nature of EP, the paper contributes to the understanding of the human and social dynamics of EL.</p> </sec> </abstract>