Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship
Volume 21, Issue 4, 2016

Examining adaptation strategies of sub-Saharan African immigrant entrepreneurs in China: The case of Guangdong (Article)

Ado A. , Chrysostome E. , Su Z.
  • a Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • b State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY, United States
  • c Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada

Abstract

This paper examines how sub-Saharan Africans do business in China, particularly in the province of Guangdong. Through a qualitative approach, the paper analyzes data obtained from twenty interviews with sub-Saharan Africans. It's a descriptive study that explores the strategies, tactics and attitudes adopted by those sub-Saharan Africans to cope with a particularly difficult Chinese business environment. Using the concepts of foreignness and adaptation, the study identified four categories of immigrant entrepreneurs: the assimilators, the conservatives, the adventurers and the cautious. Concomitantly, this research identified factors and skills that contributed significantly to immigrants' success in China. The paper also underlines challenges sub-Saharan Africans still face in China and the unconventional tactics they use. The study represents an insightful exploration of an increasingly important subject but still under-studied. It calls for a thorough research toward the understanding of African businesses in China.

Author Keywords

China culture Guangzhou Immigrant Entrepreneurship foreignness Africa

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85007497611&doi=10.1142%2fS1084946716500278&partnerID=40&md5=b86239b65556eb51a1431951303fe4ca

DOI: 10.1142/S1084946716500278
ISSN: 10849467
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English