Entrepreneurship in China developed itself in the early nighties, when the influence of the past and regulations of the government became lower. What is interesting to study is how entrepreneurship works in China, and what are new forms of entrepreneurship, that follow the evolution of the growth of the society.
New policies and regulations were part of the change. The most influential of these was “several policy recommendations on the encouragement and promotion of small businesses” (State Economic Commission of the State Council in July 2000).
The country is then facing the arrival of a new trend: Social entrepreneurship. Coming from Europe, this consists in doing business in a way that creates value for all actors involved and more precisely a positive impact to the society.
Moreover, the definition of social entrepreneurship is not the same for all actors, and this creates difficulties to quantity the number of companies that can be referenced as social enterprise.
In order to communicate on their actions, those companies must consider the online market. More than in Europe, Chinese consumers are buying online, and talk and exchange a lot on online communities such as Taobao, Baidu, Ququ. This aspect of the market is important for companies to understand how to communicate with customers but also can influence the way they do business.
Then social enterprises’ projects can be support by more important one, driven by bigger companies. This is where Corporate Social Responsibility intervenes. It concerns action driven by influential companies that have some assets and decide to dedicate a part of their activity to projects that can have a positive impact on society. In China, China Mobile, the first “supplier” of mobile phone or State Grid, the first”” of electricity are part of it. There initiatives can go from giving free access to their services in case of urgent matters (ex. Sichuan earthquake) or simply being part of the empowerment of life of millions of people. This is for example the case of Total linked to the university of TONGJI in Shanghai, that supports some projects and give access to fund to students.
To conclude Social entrepreneurship is a growing and challenging issue in China and will probably be more well-known in the near future thanks to support of important companies and the government.
Table of Contents
1.1 OVERVIEW
1.1.1 Background and spirit of entrepreneurship in China
1.1.2 Boosting youth employment
1.2 SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN CHINA, A RECENT CONCEPT
1.2.1 Legal framework & structures to help
1.2.2 Corporate Social Responsibility, a model for entrepreneurs
1.3 SCOPE OF RESEARCH
2.1 START-UPS, SMALL STRUCTURES, AND GOVERNMENT IMPLICATION, THE NEW FACE OF CHINA
2.1.1 Backgrounds and actual challenges
2.1.2.Reform and political system, how china has adapted itself to entrepreneurship?
2.1.3 Influence of the government
2.1.4 A new model of Porter
2.2. POSITIVE FOR CHINESE EMPLOYMENT
2.2.1 Boosting youth employment
2.2.2. Education about entrepreneurship in China
2.2.3. The Raise of foreign entrepreneurs
3.1. SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, A RECENT CONCEPT, PLENTY OF DEFINITIONS
3.1.1 What is a social entrepreneur? – The point of view of experts
3.1.2 Social Enterprise versus NGO’s
3.2. MAIN PARTICULARITIES OF SOCIAL COMPANIES IN CHINA
3.2.1 Legal aspect & Governance
3.2.2 What about tax exemption?
3.2.3 Financial Performances
3.2.4 Funding
3.3 WHO ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
3.3.1 Beijing and Shanghai, in the heart of the phenomenon
3.3.2 Social enterprises in China are young
3.3.3 Lack of organization
3.4 SUPPORTIVE ACTORS AND THE MODERN FACE OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
3.4.1 Ashoka, Innovators for the public
3.4.2 Make sense- Challenging people for social business
3.4.3 Social media in China- 100 million blogs
4. PROJECTS OF LEADING COMPANIES LINKED TO SOCIAL PURPOSES
4.1. HOW DOES CSR TAKE PLACE IN CHINESE COMPANIES AND HOW IS IT PERCEIVED
4.1.1 China get formed by American methods
4.1.2 what is CSR in China? Examples of good practices
4.1.3. A comparison with international companies implemented in China, can they help and be an example in terms of CSR in China?
4.2 ENCOURAGE YOUTH
Objectives and Themes
This thesis investigates the emergence and current landscape of social entrepreneurship in China, exploring the specific forms it adopts, the structural challenges faced by entrepreneurs, and the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a mechanism to support positive societal impact within the existing political and administrative framework.
- The evolution of entrepreneurship in China post-deregulation and the role of the government.
- Challenges associated with funding, legal status, and administrative barriers for social enterprises.
- The influence of international networking and online communities on the Chinese entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Strategic adoption of CSR by large corporations to drive social progress and support small-scale ventures.
Excerpt from the book
3.3.3 Lack of organization
I have been able to understand that one of the main problems of those structures is the lack of governance and rules among the company in it-self. I mean hierarchy. It seems that in the majority of the companies there is no board of direction at all.
This can be traced to various challenges:
Firstly, as the majority of social enterprises set up as businesses they are not required to have a Board of Directors. Then, social entrepreneurs often lack of experience and are less informed about how to do and to deal with personal.
Social entrepreneurs find it difficult to recruit professionals with the appropriate business skills and understanding of their social mission to serve on their board. Yet, in light of recent media scandals in China involving nonprofit accountability and transparency, entrepreneurs, donors and the public recognize the need for transparency and accountability and there is an increasing pressure to establish effective governance structures.
Chapter Summaries
1. INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of the boom in Chinese entrepreneurship and introduces the core challenges regarding government bureaucracy and funding that necessitated the focus of this research.
2. ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN CHINA: Discusses the transition of the Chinese business environment, the role of governmental policies, and the impact of the "new face of China" on startups, including the necessity of education and the influx of foreign entrepreneurs.
3. CHINA’S SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP TODAY: Analyzes the definition and characteristics of social entrepreneurship in China, highlights the lack of clear legal frameworks, and examines the role of supportive actors and digital communities.
4. PROJECTS OF LEADING COMPANIES LINKED TO SOCIAL PURPOSES: Explores the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility in major Chinese and international firms, comparing their practices and their role in encouraging youth-led ventures.
Keywords
Entrepreneurialism, Social entrepreneurship, China, Corporate Social Responsibility, Youth employment, Government policy, Startup ecosystem, Social enterprise, NGO, Business management, Innovation, Networking, Funding, Governance, CSR reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The research examines the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship in China, identifying what it entails, the forms it takes in a state-controlled environment, and the challenges and opportunities for practitioners.
What are the central themes of the work?
Key themes include the impact of historical political influence on business, the legal and financial struggles of social enterprises, the importance of networking, and the role of large corporations in fostering social change via CSR.
What is the core research question?
The thesis aims to answer what social entrepreneurship is in the context of China, what forms it currently takes, and what specific opportunities and challenges these entities face.
Which methodology was employed for this research?
The author utilized a combination of literature reviews and field research, including participation in networking events and interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders to gain a practical understanding of the market.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It provides an overview of the Chinese entrepreneurial environment, defines social entrepreneurship within that context, discusses the main particularities of social companies, identifies key support actors, and analyzes CSR projects by leading companies.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Social entrepreneurship, China, Corporate Social Responsibility, Youth education, Market transition, and Business innovation.
What is the role of the government in Chinese social entrepreneurship?
The government acts as a major influence, providing both the regulatory framework and specific hurdles. The author notes that projects succeed when the government recognizes the importance of supporting them, yet the current system remains highly bureaucratic.
How does the author describe the significance of "Guan Xi"?
The author highlights "Guan Xi" (human relationships) as the most important cultural aspect of the Chinese business environment, which entrepreneurs must build and leverage to gain the support necessary to operate successfully.
Why are online platforms significant for Chinese entrepreneurs?
Online platforms and communities are crucial as they allow entrepreneurs to communicate, share tools, and circumvent some traditional barriers to entry in a market that is increasingly moving toward digital and online business models.
- Citar trabajo
- Apolline Reyniers (Autor), 2013, Social Entrepreneurship in China, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/231933
