Title: Tao of downfall: the failures of high-profile entrepreneurs in the Chinese economic reform

Authors: Wenxian Zhang, Ilan Alon

Addresses: Rollins College, Box 2768, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA. ' Rollins College, Box 2768, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA

Abstract: Through historical reviews and case studies, this research seeks to understand why some initially successful entrepreneurs failed in the economic boom of past decades. Among various factors contributed to their downfalls are a unique political and business environment, fragile financial systems, traditional cultural influences and personal characteristics. Notwithstanding that these factors should be further tested through empirical studies, those high-profile entrepreneurs are oblivious but essential actors in the grand theatre of China|s economic transformation and their failures have contributed to the swift development of the Chinese entrepreneurship over the last 30 years.

Keywords: China; economic reforms; corruption; business environment; cultural influences; personal characteristics; Tao; economic booms; political influences; financial systems; Gu Chujun; Huang Guangyu; Wong Kwong Yu; Lai Changxing; Mou Qizhong; Tang Wanxin; Yang Bin; Yang Rong; Yu Zuomin; Zhao Xinxian; Zhou Zhengyi; Chau Ching-ngai; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; entrepreneurship; entrepreneurs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2010.034954

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2010 Vol.11 No.2, pp.121 - 134

Published online: 31 Aug 2010 *

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