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Paths of evolution for the Chinese migrant entrepreneurship: a multiple case analysis in Italy

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Abstract

Chinese diaspora is one of the most important areas in the field of immigrant entrepreneurship and the Chinese case is, for absolute numbers, entrepreneurship rates and scientific attention, one of the most significant phenomena in the world and in Italy. While much of the literature on the topic focuses on ethnic networks and social ties, there is a lack of studies that acknowledge the role of business networks in the later growth of migrant entrepreneurship, when the importance of social ties within the ethnic community diminishes. This paper tries to answer the following research question: Which is the role of ethnic networks and business networks in the path of evolution of Chinese migrant entrepreneurship? Thus, the paper analyses the structure and characteristics of ethnic networks and business networks and the role of each in the growth and evolution of Chinese migrant entrepreneurship. Our research considers business networks as the main focus of analysis that may replace social ties in consolidating insidership in new business settings and in finding new opportunities. A qualitative methodology is adopted, namely a multiple case study. Five cases of individual Chinese companies settled in a specific area are presented, for which the networks in which they are involved are traced and analysed. The case analysis shows that in the evolution of Chinese migrant entrepreneurship, ethnic networks are very important in the early phases of the business, but the role of cross-cultural business networks becomes relevant for further development. Implications—managerial and for policy makers—are highlighted and discussed.

Résumé

La diaspora chinoise est. l’une des plus importantes dans le domaine de l’entreprenariat immigré et le cas chinois est., au niveau des chiffres, des taux de l’entreprenariat et des études scientifiques, un des phénomènes les plus remarquables en Italie et dans le monde aujourd’hui. Alors que de nombreux articles sur le sujet mettent l’accent sur les réseaux ethniques et les liens sociaux, on peut constater une absence d’études soulignant le rôle des réseaux d’affaires dans le développement successif de l’entreprenariat migrant, quand l’importance des liens sociaux à l’intérieur de la communauté ethnique diminue. Le but de l’article est. celui d’essayer de répondre à la question suivante: quel est. le rôle des réseaux ethniques et des réseaux d’affaires dans le cadre de l’évolution de l’entreprenariat migrant chinois? L’article analysera donc la structure et les caractéristiques des réseaux ethniques et des réseaux d’affaires et le rôle de chacun des deux dans le développement et l’évolution de l’entreprenariat migrant chinois. Notre recherche considèrera les réseaux d’affaires comme le point central de l’analyse, ces derniers pouvant remplacer les liens sociaux tout en consolidant la direction interne dans les nouveaux milieux d’affaires et tout en trouvant de nouvelles opportunités. Une méthodologie qualitative a été adoptée, à savoir une étude de plusieurs cas. Cinq sociétés chinoises individuelles situées dans une zone spécifique et pour lesquelles les réseaux où elles évoluent, ont été relevés et analysés, sont présentées dans cet article. L’étude de cas montre que dans le cadre de l’évolution de l’entreprenariat migrant chinois les réseaux ethniques sont très importants dans les premières phases de la vie de l’entreprise, mais le rôle des réseaux d’affaires interculturels devient fondamental pour un développement ultérieur. Les implications au niveau managérial et pour les décideurs seront mises en évidence et débattues.

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  1. University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Simone Guercini, Matilde Milanesi & Gabi Dei Ottati

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  1. Simone Guercini
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  2. Matilde Milanesi
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  3. Gabi Dei Ottati
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Correspondence to Simone Guercini.

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The research on which the present study is based was conducted in the framework of the Department of Economics and Management of the Università degli Studi di Florence, and the Marketing and Internationalization laboratory (LabMI) at the PIN of Prato (Italy).

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Guercini, S., Milanesi, M. & Ottati, G.D. Paths of evolution for the Chinese migrant entrepreneurship: a multiple case analysis in Italy. J Int Entrep 15, 266–294 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10843-017-0209-0

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