Title: Using the concept of resilience to explain entrepreneurial success in China

Authors: Jing Sun; Nicholas Buys; Xinchao Wang; Andrew McAuley

Addresses: School of Public Health and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook Q4131, Australia ' Health Group and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Parkland, Gold Coast Q4222, Australia ' Guanghua Graduate School of Management, Peking University, Zhongguan Cun, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China ' Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia

Abstract: This paper aims (1) to explore resilience among Chinese entrepreneurs and its correlation with entrepreneurial types; (2) to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial type and other factors including locus of control, education and experience. A cross-sectional cohort study design was used. Fifty thousand entrepreneurs were randomly selected from 228 cities across 31 provinces in China, of which 38,890 agreed to participate in this study. Results indicated that entrepreneurs who founded a resource-based business had higher resilience scores than those who founded risk or knowledge-based ventures. The resource-based and skill-based entrepreneurs were similar to each other in terms of creativity and innovation, need for achievement, flexibility and knowledge seeking. The findings of this study suggest that institutions and small business support agencies need to provide training opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop resilience characteristics before they commence establishing business ventures.

Keywords: enterprise development; Chinese entrepreneurs; resilience; resource-based businesses; entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial success; China; entrepreneurial types; knowledge-based ventures; risk-based ventures; skill-based businesses; training opportunities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2011.044637

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2011 Vol.11 No.2/3/4, pp.182 - 202

Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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