The Influences of Social Media on Chinese Start-up Stage Entrepreneurship

In today’s digital era, information is increasingly shared and distributed through online social networks. Online social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Youtube in the west and Sina Weibo, Wechat in China have not only greatly extended the reach of traditional social networks but also facilitated the information distribution process within the networks. With the rising popularity of such social media platforms, the channel where people obtain information has dramatically compared to traditional print media. Acknowledging the differences in social, culture and economic conditions and the uniqueness of Chinese economy, we argue there is a need to look at the influence of online social networks for Chinese start-up companies specifically. Therefore, in this research, we aim to investigate the influences of online social networks on Chinese young people’s perception on entrepreneurship and its impact on entrepreneurial activities for start-up companies. We collected survey data from 100 Chinese participants and carried out 25 interviews. The results revealed current status quo, opportunities and challenges on using online social networks. For instance, Weibo and Wechat are the most popular choices for business activities in China. The main entrepreneurial activities on social networks include information collection and analysis as part of the decision making process or facilitate the sales and promotion activities. Challenges include such as the overly populated false news and information distributed through the online social networks

Sprinting for creative economy growth – a case study of a business planning and rapid prototyping toolkit for the Brazilian creative economy sector

This article reflects on the development of a creative economy training product and toolkit developed by Coventry University with SEBRAE (the Brasilian Micro and Small Business Support Service) and funded by British Council. It was devised following two weeks creative economy scoping visits in autumn 2017 in Brasil. The scoping visits identified the need for a fun and “disruptive” business planning experience leading to rapid prototyping which would allow new creative economy ideas to be brought to market at low development cost – “Sprint”. A one day micro Sprint was tested in four locations in Brazil to excellent feedback in late 2017. The client subsequently requested a three day version of the methodology to invest more time in the cultural change of the creative entrepreneur and the development of an associated toolkit. However, this Sprint has subsequently also been rolled out in a super condensed 3 hour version piloting in 2019 and 2020 in Ukraine through British Council Creative Spark programmes. The toolkit offers skills and techniques to train creative entrepreneurs and their mentors in enabling the growth of the creative economy in their communities. This paper predominantly focuses on the implementation of the client commissioned three day Sprint

The potential link between corporate innovations and corporate competitiveness:Evidence from IT firms in the UK

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a thorough empirical investigation of the potential link between corporate innovations and corporate competitiveness in the context of the UK IT industry. Design/methodology/approach: This research uses a panel of 216 UK IT firms for the period from 2000 to 2016. The sample data for this study were extracted from the Worldscope, extracted from the Datastream database from Thomson Reuters. For the analysis of the data, the generalised method of moments model is applied. Findings: The results of this study provide empirical evidence that there exists a strong, positive link between corporate innovations and corporate competitiveness. Such evidence further reinforces the common view in the current literature of strategic management that because of the nature of their business, firms in the IT industry need to enhance their innovative capacities on a continual basis because of their critical role on these firms’ success and survival. Also, it is found that when the proxies for corporate innovations are lagged by two periods, their impact on corporate competitiveness becomes relatively more significant. However, when they are further lagged, i.e. by three periods, such an impact turns out to be relatively less pronounced. Research limitations/implications: The data gathered for this paper was restricted to IT-oriented firms in the UK. Using a secondary database (Datastream), the paper considered the period of 2000-2016. Originality/value: The research makes a significant contribution to the current debate on the relationship between information technology, innovation and performance, referred to in the literature as the productivity paradox, by studying the problem in the IT industry. It supports organisations from the sector in their efforts to deal with the dynamic nature of technological innovations and of the context where they operate. Methodologically, the way the study has measured the concepts of innovation and performance and the lessons learned from their analysis has also brought value to the research

Reciprocity and resilience: teaching and learning sustainable social enterprise through gaming

Against a backdrop of increased global environmental and economic uncertainty, the resilience and sustainability of urban communities is a paramount concern for decision makers. The work presented here aims to explore how teaching and learning around transition initiatives, based upon social enterprise and reciprocity, might be supported by game theory and strategy simulation environments. Key elements for this are the coevolutionary nature of internal and external organisational contexts. The gaming prototype developed here (Exploring Community Resilience, ExCoRe)is based upon an extension of the Prisoner’s Dilemma as a medium for active learning, but is enacted through a multi-player and dynamic environment. The key learning objectives for the game are to introduce a broad concept of reciprocity and collaboration on a systems level, and the importance of an emergent and responsive ‘learning strategy’ for new start-ups and enterprises. The static nature of the traditional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) approach is challenged and students are encouraged to appreciate, through establishing game strategy, a much more fluid and dynamic relationship between internal and external environments

Scaffolding in Indoor and Outdoor Mobility a Wearable and Mobile Application for Senior Tourism in a Playable City

The growth of urban population and the challenges of an ageing society have brought to the fore the need of innovative ways to re-invent sustainable healthy ageing lifestyles and meet the growing demand on transport and residents’ assistance with ageing-in-place. Fatalities involving older adult pedestrians is a major problem in EU urban areas, given the general lack of information about traffic and road conditions. Indoor and Outdoor Mobility are also likely to affect Senior Tourism and older adults’ travel patterns. This paper proposes a digital application designed for wearables and mobile devices that engages the users in a set of missions and routes that are customized to their context and mobility condition, based on a multi-peer review system.This work was supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) and ESF under Community Support Framework III – the project SEDUCE 2.0 nr. POCI-01-0145-FEDER- 031696.publishe

Gelation mechanism of thermoreversible poly(vinylidene fluoride) gels in glyceryl tributyrate

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF2) gels in glyceryl tributyrate (GTB) with fibrillar morphology in the dried state. The gels are transparent and WAXS results indicate the presence of α-phase PVF2 crystals in the gels. The gelation rate (t-1gel) has been measured by the test tube tilting method and has been analysed with the equation t-1gel ∝ f(c)f(T), where f(c) = concentration function and f(T) = temperature function. At a fixed temperature, the variation of t-1gel with concentration suggests that the nature of the connectedness in this system obeys the three dimensional percolation mechanism. On the other hand, at a fixed concentration, the variation of the gelation rate with temperature suggests that the gelation is a two step concerted process of conformational ordering and crystallization, the former acting as the rate determining step. The formation of fibrillar gels in this system has been attributed to the solvation of the TGTG conformer of PVF2 through compound formation in a 3:1 molar ratio of the monomeric units of PVF2 and GTB

The China Gambit: Geoeconomics and the US’ Turn to Informal Data Governance Initiatives

In October 2023, the US withdrew its proposals on cross-border data flows at the World Trade Organization (WTO), reversing its long-held position on binding commitments against data localization. Concurrently, it has orchestrated the creation of several informal data governance initiatives, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, which are all characterized by fluid commitments on data flows. This article demonstrates that the US’ turn toward informal data governance is influenced considerably by geoeconomic statecraft. Confronted with the prospect of China leveraging global data flows to undermine American interests, both in terms of national security and economic competitiveness, the US executive has sought to restrict outbound data flows. In parallel, it has developed informal, like-minded coalitions to promote norms around “trusted data flows,” that similarly restrict data collection by Chinese actors globally. Having withdrawn from formal WTO discussions on cross-border data, its informal initiatives give the US ample regulatory space to implement coercive domestic measures against Chinese actors. Informal initiatives simultaneously allow the US to develop norm-setting coalitions with states that may otherwise be wary of binding commitments on restrictive data flows. Drawing on an analysis of seven international data governance initiatives, alongside US domestic policies and official statements, we trace the US’ turn toward informality to its geoeconomic considerations. We contribute to theoretical debates on the evolution and shift in geoeconomic statecraft, particularly the shift away from formal sanctions-based regimes to informal agreements, as well as to the empirical literature on international cross-border data governance

Redefining peer learning: Role of student entrepreneurs in teaching entrepreneurship in the UK higher education context

Entrepreneurship-related modules have become increasingly popular over the years, not only among business school students but also among those from other disciplines, including engineering and the arts and humanities. In some circumstances, they are offered as optional modules for students across different faculties and disciplines. While it is beneficial to mix students with different backgrounds, bringing in a wide range of perspectives, there are also challenges relating to course design and student engagement. With these challenges in mind, the authors trialled a new approach in the hope of motivating students from diverse academic and socio-cultural backgrounds to engage more fully in the classroom by utilising student entrepreneurs as guest speakers. The student-centric approach has proved effective in enhancing student engagement, as evidenced by both informal and formal feedback

Young students and desire to social entrepreneurship: The impact of government's role

The main aim of the research was intended in assessing the role of the Indonesian government towards the promotion of social entrepreneurship in the country. The research was focused on addressing the level of awareness about the concept of social enterprise and what it means in Indonesia, especially among young students. For achieving this aim, a survey was conducted among students in Jakarta, Indonesia. The survey reflected the assessment of government role in the promotion of social entrepreneurship in Indonesia. The results noted that when it came to social entrepreneurship, it is the government that acts as a vital role in communication what a social enterprise is and its role to the members of the society. From the regression analysis, it was identified that there is a significant relationship between the promotion of social entrepreneurship and the role of the Indonesian government. However, the study also identifies that while the promotion of social enterprise is essential, the role of innovation and its link to the building resilient social enterprises needs more attention

Digital resilience and firm internationalization: a study of Chinese listed companies

Purpose: The aim of this research is to explore the impact of digital resilience on firms' international performance. Using internal operation efficiency and innovation as channel variables, this paper explores the relationship between digital resilience and international firm performance of Chinese listed firms. Design/methodology/approach: The research design follows a quantitative approach. Using firm-level panel data from 2007 to 2020, this paper tests the hypotheses between digital resilience and international firm performance through internal efficiency and innovation. Findings: The results note that digital resilience has a positive effect on internationalization while operation efficiency is a channel through which digital resilience promotes internationalization. Digital resilience also facilitates innovation by improving research and development (R&D) efficiency and matching innovation collaborators. Originality/value: This paper is one of the first to explore digital resilience in the context of internalization and international firm performance. This paper extends the notion of resource-based view (RBV) to examine the relationship between digital resilience, internal efficiency and innovation on international firm performance.The National Social Science Fund of China, "Research on the Mechanism and Policy of Market Integration driven by Digital Economy under the New Development Pattern" (22CJY065