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The benefits of having an entrepreneur-mother: Influence of mother's entrepreneurial status on human capital formation among children

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  • Li, Wenchao
  • Tong, Di

Abstract

Prior research shows that childcare is a unique driver for female entrepreneurship, as entrepreneurship allows women to increase time allocation on child supervision. Yet, whether female entrepreneurship actually promotes childrearing outcomes remains contentious in extant literature. This study focuses on child human capital formation as a key childrearing outcome. Drawing on the occupational inheritance literature, we suggest that, in addition to supervision, entrepreneur-mothers may foster child human capital formation through value transmission—in particular, transmitting self-direction values to children. Using nationally representative data from China, we find that children with entrepreneur-mothers exhibit better human capital formation outcomes—especially when they are younger and female. We further show that both supervision and value transmission are present, with the latter being a more important mechanism. Reconciling conflicting views in the literature, our study has both theoretical and practical implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Wenchao & Tong, Di, 2023. "The benefits of having an entrepreneur-mother: Influence of mother's entrepreneurial status on human capital formation among children," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(6).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:38:y:2023:i:6:s0883902623000435
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2023.106329
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Schneck, Stefan, 2025. "Interference in children’s affairs: An exploratory study about the role of self-employed parents," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 24(C).
    2. Haoyu Hu & Xiaohao Feng & Dawei Feng, 2026. "Does self-employment mitigate the perceived discrimination? Evidence from Chinese migrant workers," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Schneck, Stefan, 2025. "The origins of entrepreneurship: How parental role models and socialization shape later entrepreneurial intentions," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1678, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. Shantz, Angelique Slade & McMullen, Jeffery S., 2024. "Journal of business venturing 2023 year in review: The year of the whole-person entrepreneur," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 39(6).
    5. Kensbock, Julia M., 2025. "Reaching out or going it alone? How birth order shapes networking behavior and entrepreneurial action in the face of obstacles," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 40(2).
    6. Andric, Mateja & Hsueh, Josh Wei-Jun & Zellweger, Thomas & Hatak, Isabella, 2024. "Parental divorce in early life and entrepreneurial performance in adulthood," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 39(3).
    7. Stefan Schneck, 2025. "The Origins of Entrepreneurship: How Parental Role Models and Socialization Shape Later Entrepreneurial Intentions," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1233, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    8. Hu, Haoyu & Wang, Wei & Xin, Ge & Ye, Fangjin, 2024. "Impact of city size on self-employment behavior: Evidence from Chinese migrants," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

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