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Entrepreneurial preparedness: an exploratory case study of Chinese private enterprises

Catherine L. Wang (School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London, London, UK)
Mohammed Rafiq (The Business School, University of Roehampton, London, UK)
Xiaoqing Li (Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)
Yu Zheng (School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK)

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research

ISSN: 1355-2554

Article publication date: 27 May 2014

1151

Abstract

Purpose

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.

Design/methodology/approach

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.

Findings

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.

Research limitations/implications

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.

Practical implications

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.

Originality/value

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.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Economic and Social Research Council, UK for their funding support for the project (Award No. RES-061-25-0023).

Citation

L. Wang, C., Rafiq, M., Li, X. and Zheng, Y. (2014), "Entrepreneurial preparedness: an exploratory case study of Chinese private enterprises", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 351-374. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-06-2013-0079

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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