Exploring Entrepreneurial Roles and Identity in the United Kingdom and China

Bell, Robin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7325-4277, Peng, L., Huirong, Z., Bozward, David, Jing, F., Watts, Helen and Xiaoyu, M. (2019) Exploring Entrepreneurial Roles and Identity in the United Kingdom and China. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 20 (1). pp. 39-49. ISSN 1465-7503 Online: 2043-6882

Preview	Text Exploring Entrepreneurial Roles and Identity in the UK and China Final.pdf - Accepted Version Download (803kB) | Preview
	Text Exploring Entrepreneurial Roles and Identity in the UK and China +CS.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (295kB) | Request a copy
	Text Exploring Entrepreneurial Roles and Identity in the UK and China.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (238kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This paper examines entrepreneurial identity in both the United Kingdom and China through the lenses of identity theory and social identity theory to develop a deeper and more holistic understanding of the concept of entrepreneurial identity. By examining the entrepreneur as both a role and an identity this paper explores how an entrepreneur views the role of the entrepreneur, the counter-roles to the entrepreneur, the ‘self-as-entrepreneur’ understand how entrepreneurs construct their identity as entrepreneur. By looking at the role identity in different social constructs, a more nuanced view of entrepreneurial identity can be uncovered for entrepreneurs in both the UK and China. The study argues that entrepreneurs in the UK use counter-roles to bridge the disconnect between their understanding of the entrepreneur-as-role and the self-as-entrepreneur whereas entrepreneurs in China have less conflict reconciling the two, and use the counter-role as a way to paint entrepreneurship as a ‘calling’, justifying their abandonment of other identities.

Actions (login required)

View Item