The role of human capital, social capital, and psychological capital in micro-entrepreneurship in China

Schwarz, Susan (2017) The role of human capital, social capital, and psychological capital in micro-entrepreneurship in China. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

A key question in entrepreneurship research is how certain individuals in different contexts are able to generate superior venture performance. Micro-entrepreneurs in emerging and transition economies lack access to various forms of capital to launch and grow new ventures, as they operate in settings characterised by resource scarcity and underdeveloped market institutions. To meet the need for tangible financial resources, lenders provide small loans to stimulate business development. Yet financial capital alone does not ensure successful business outcomes, raising questions as to how micro-entrepreneurs deploy intangible resources to drive growth. Based on in-person survey interviews conducted with 164 entrepreneurs receiving loans at community banks in Zhejiang Province, China, as well as qualitative field data, this study examines the impact of human capital, social capital, and psychological capital on the growth of micro-enterprises in China, with a focus on the moderating role of psychological capital. By integrating psychological capital with human capital and social network approaches, this study fills a research gap at the intersections of these three perspectives. The contributions of this study include establishing boundary conditions for these theories to explain how entrepreneurs overcome resource scarcity to grow ventures within a relational society undergoing a transition to a market economy.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors: Batjargal, Bat
Fey, Carl
Keywords: entrepreneur, China, psychological capital, social capital, human capital
Subjects: H Social sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Faculties/Schools: UNNC Ningbo, China Campus > Faculty of Business > Nottingham University Business School China
Item ID: 40361
Depositing User: SCHWARZ, Susan
Date Deposited: 20 Sep 2017 07:57
Last Modified: 21 Jun 2022 10:42
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/40361

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