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Immigrant entrepreneurs and their cross-cultural capabilities: A study of Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia

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  • Kunlin Xu

    (Queensland University of Technology)

  • Judy Drennan

    (Queensland University of Technology)

  • Shane Mathews

    (Queensland University of Technology)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to increase our understanding of immigrant entrepreneurs’ cross-cultural capabilities for international business. Based on 30 interviews with Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia, we found that cross-cultural capabilities include the capability of psychological adaptation (emotion management and positive mindset) and socio-cultural adaptation (cultural learning, language skills, and bicultural flexibility). A combination of capabilities is necessary for immigrant entrepreneurs to deal with acculturative stress and adapt to the new culture in international business context. Moreover, by leveraging bicultural flexibility, immigrant entrepreneurs create competitive advantage in international markets. We interpret this evidence by using progressive entrepreneurial activity focusing on theory development in the immigrant entrepreneurship context. This study contributes to immigrant entrepreneurship literature by identifying the need to employ a cross-capability lens with regard to the psychological adaptation and socio-cultural adaptation for cross-border business success.

Suggested Citation

  • Kunlin Xu & Judy Drennan & Shane Mathews, 2019. "Immigrant entrepreneurs and their cross-cultural capabilities: A study of Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 520-557, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jinten:v:17:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s10843-019-00261-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10843-019-00261-4
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    5. Ty Choi, 2022. "Ethnic enclaves in immigrant entrepreneurship: Korean immigrant entrepreneurship in Australia," Journal of the International Council for Small Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(3), pages 214-227, July.
    6. Cheng, Zhiming & Wang, Ben Zhe & Jiang, Zhou & Taksa, Lucy & Tani, Massimiliano, 2020. "English Skills and Early Labour Market Integration of Humanitarian Migrants," IZA Discussion Papers 13728, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Arrighetti, Alessandro & Gnarini, Daniela & Lasagni, Andrea & Semenza, Renata, 2021. "From Immigrant Entrepreneurship to Plurinational Firms: Evidence from Italy," EconStor Preprints 248545, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
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