Journal of Chinese Entrepreneurship

A preliminary investigation of entrepreneurial women in Potohar region of Pakistan : Table of Contents

Ansir Ali Rajput, Murad Ali — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Given the importance of women entrepreneurship in today's world and lack of research in this domain, the purpose of this paper is to identify the status of entrepreneurial women in male dominated Pakistani society and to excavate the primary issues being faced by the entrepreneurial women in Potohar region of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a survey and will facilitate to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among the women of Pakistan to face the challenges in the future. Findings – The findings of the study point out that, in Pakistani society (Potohar region) entrepreneurial women are working on a very small level due to little or no knowledge and lack of resources. Research limitations/implications – The paper is restricted to urban territories of Potohar region. It is absolutely descriptive and is not explanatory. Practical implications – It is due to gender-based stereotypes that entrepreneurial women face certain barriers in gaining access to resources for their start up ventures. If the authors empower the women economically it will inturn improve the economic condition of the country. Originality/value – Owing to lack of research in this particular area, the paper will contribute to identifying and resolving the primary challenges of women entrepreneurship in Pakistan. The paper will also provide grounds for further in-depth research on women entrepreneurship in Pakistan.

Marginalized women social well-being through enterprise development: A glimpse of remote women status in Pakistan : Table of Contents

Talat Afza, Muhammad Amir Rashid — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this exploratory paper is to explore and categorize the impediments which surround the remote women entrepreneurs and limit their growth opportunities to be successful entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the primary data collected through interviews and focus group discussions with the remote women entrepreneurs from selected cities across four provinces of Pakistan. Findings – Social and gender discrimination, lack of access and control over resources, limited educational opportunities, weaker family support, absence of self-actualization, and little entrepreneurial orientation are few impediments classified as barriers to the growth of remote women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Research limitations/implications – Research findings will help the future researchers understand the characteristics of remote women entrepreneurs residing in Pakistan, moreover, the findings of this paper also provide a panoramic view about the social and working conditions prevailing in Pakistan for women entrepreneurs. Practical implications – The findings of this paper will provide the baseline information to the government and strategists to develop a policy framework to boost the entrepreneurial culture for women in Pakistan. Originality/value – This paper intends to identify the hazards, which restrain growth opportunities for women dwelling in remote parts of Pakistan. It may be termed as an exploratory survey for the future researchers to further probe the issue of women entrepreneurship in Pakistan and evolve a suitable model for development of marginalized women entrepreneurs to grow into mature entrepreneurs.

Start-up and growth constraints on small-scale trading in Bangladesh : Table of Contents

Md. Serazul Islam — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the reasons for starting the new small business by the people and also to find out the difficulties they experienced at the time of and after starting their business at Pabna and Gazipur – two districts of Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach – To attain the objectives, both primary and secondary data have been used. To collect the primary data, an interview schedule has been used to interview the selected 250 small entrepreneurs. For secondary sources, the journal, article, web site, textbooks, etc. have been consulted. Findings – The paper reveals that money earning for family, self-employment, relief from the curse of unemployment, family business tradition, previous experience of the similar or different line of business, lack of higher formal education, etc. are the broad general reasons for start-up of new business. Shortage of fixed and working capital, lack of training and business skill, lack of collateral free institutional support, lack of experienced and reliable employees, etc. are the common factors that inhibit the entrepreneurs to start and run their business smoothly. Research limitations/implications – The paper is limited to two districts and trading enterprises only. Owing to time and resource constraints and non-availability of official records of the number of small-scale traders, statistically representative sampling cannot be chosen. In order to capture a large sample size, almost all trading concerns of Pabna and Gazipur will have to be visited, which is almost impossible. However, some of the limitations are overcome by synthesizing information from a number of sources. The present paper provides a starting-point for further research in the small-scale trading of suburban areas of other districts. Originality/value – The paper provides useful information about the starting of new small businesses and initial difficulties.

The transformation from entrepreneurship to technology entrepreneurship development in Malaysia: State-led initiatives : Table of Contents

Syahida Abdullah — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss Malaysia's industrial development since achieving its independence in 1957 to 2007. The industrial development in Malaysia has gradually shifted from mere trading type of activities to technology based entrepreneurial activities. Design/methodology/approach – The transformation of Malaysia's industrial development from entrepreneurship to technology entrepreneurship is studied by applying the World Bank framework introduced by Bessant et al. The improvised framework has eight key dimensions that are developed as the key activities of technology entrepreneurship to assess the presence of technology entrepreneurship activity during the study period. Findings – The initiation of the government's heavy industrialization drive in the 1980s had given rise to the growth of the manufacturing sector, and consequently, the implementation of public policies and government programmes in the 1990s have led to the shift of the economy from labor intensive manufacturing to high technology with higher value added activities. The findings thus indicate that the government's effort and support through the implementation of different policies and various state-led programmes have basically driven Malaysia's entrepreneurial activities to be technology oriented. Research limitations/implications – As for the limitation, it is represented by the difficulties in identifying the key technology entrepreneurship activities and using them to analyze the entrepreneurship development at the macro level. Having analyzed at the macro level, this study hopes to contribute to the policy makers in drafting the government policies strategically so as to foster the growth of technology entrepreneurship in Malaysia generally, and to develop capabilities in particular industrial sectors. Originality/value – The paper provides an overview of the industrial development in Malaysia as a background to the discussion on the transformation to technology entrepreneurship development.

Entrepreneurship and marketing: an exploratory study in Mauritius : Table of Contents

Mridula Gungaphul, Mehraz Boolaky — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance that successful entrepreneurs in Mauritius attach to marketing in operating their business and how marketing is actually practised or is prevalent in their enterprises. Design/methodology/approach – This paper forms part of a broader study undertaken by the authors. The survey instrument is a personally administered semi-structured questionnaire. A sample of 30 successful entrepreneurs for this paper is drawn judgmentally from the broader study. Findings – The results indicate that entrepreneurs surveyed use marketing to a large extent although some apply it unknowingly. Respondents tend to emphasize product development rather than improving product offering based on customer needs and wants. The results also reveal that some of the entrepreneurs practice marketing in mostly unconventional ways although there is evidence of convergence with traditional marketing in many respects. On the whole, the results of this survey indicate that entrepreneurs view marketing as an important function in achieving their business goals. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the scant literature on the importance and relationship of the marketing function with respect to entrepreneurial activities and small and medium enterprises in Mauritius. The findings of this paper confirm that entrepreneurs attach significant importance to marketing, although in certain areas such as the elaborate marketing mix they practice marketing in their own style. The paper helps entrepreneurs to realize how marketing can be an asset to achieving success in their business. Some success factors in marketing practice are highlighted to benefit future and potential entrepreneurs. The study also cautions entrepreneurs about some marketing practices to which they ought to pay more attention instead of taking them for granted.

Industrial clusters and regional economic development in China: the case of “green” food : Table of Contents

John Adams, Jialiang Wang — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to find if and to what extent industrial clusters boost the regional economy in Heilongjiang Province of China and to more clearly define the relationship between the province's economic development and its industrial cluster strategy. The case of green food is the focus of the paper. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is designed to answer a series of research questions regarding the role of the green food industry in Heilongjiang Province as an actual or potential industrial cluster and the extent to which there is export potential within this. Findings – Although a small proportion of output is being exported, there are still some barriers that need to be overcome if the export potential is to be realized. Research limitations/implications – The research results to date are useful but limited due to certain data issues. However, they are sufficient even at this stage to determine a number of practical implications. Originality/value – The paper focuses on the development of industrial clusters in Heilongjiang Province with a specific analysis of the development of the “green” food industry. This is done using statistical trends, volume, varieties, and value data to examine the export potential capacity in Heilongjiang Province. These data are brought together for the first time.

Problems of small-scale entrepreneurs in Nellore District : Table of Contents

K. Lavanya Latha, B.E.V.V.N. Murthy — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the problems faced by small-scale entrepreneurs in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh, India and also to study the opinions of entrepreneurs regarding what are the different factors which are helpful for success of entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach – The present paper is conducted by choosing a sample size of 30 per cent (196 units) randomly from the total population of 653 units. The data are collected through a structured questionnaire, informal interview and analyzed by using mean, ANOVA and Z-test. Findings – It is found that high price of raw materials, lack of marketing information and marketing of products are major problems faced by the entrepreneurs, followed by competition from small industries and absenteeism of labour. The majority (about 90.3 per cent) of the respondents did not want to make any complaint to government agencies. Originality/value – The findings help to know the problems faced by small-scale entrepreneurs in a developing country such as India and also help the policy makers to solve these problems.

Explaining IT usage in government through “resistance to change” : Table of Contents

Tony Kai Pong Leung, John Adams — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The technology acceptance model (TAM) is robust in predicting user acceptance of internet and communication technology (IT) in various contexts but with limited explanatory power. This research uses the theory of bureaucracy to test if resistance to change (RTC) is a significant external factor relevant to the TAM in explaining IT acceptance and usage in a government context. This paper aims to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The research employs a survey of 700 randomly selected government employees in Hong Kong. Additional information is gathered from senior management to validate the survey results. Findings – RTC can improve the explanatory power of TAM. It bridges previous researches' findings in the TAM. The TAM is confirmed applicable in the government context and most of the theoretical relationships hold true. However, the usefulness-intention direct link is found to be unstable. Hong Kong Government staff as a whole tends to be reluctant to change. Statistical tests show that there are heterogeneous behaviour groups within the organization. Specifically, younger and more educated staff are more willing to change. Research limitations/implications – The usable sample is relatively small (n=66). Practical implications – The use of IT relies on the resistance level. System managers should target the younger and more educated users first to build up sufficient user mass and adopt peer pressure for a more successful level of implementation across all staff. Originality/value – This is the first research to test the TAM in the Hong Kong Government context. It shows that there are deficiencies in TAM and weaknesses in previous TAM research. Also, as RTC is common to all organizations, the findings in this research are valuable to all organizations.