Exploring the entrepreneurial well-being of transnational entrepreneurs in China

My current research is centred on exploring the Entrepreneurial Well-Being (EWB) of transnational entrepreneurs in China. This involves analyzing their contextualised lived experience throughout their entrepreneurial journey. I am in the process of developing a paper that aims to propose a new theoretical framework for understanding EWB, employing an interpretivist approach utilizing abductive reasoning. This is informed by the analysis of data obtained from 67 in-depth interviews conducted with transnational entrepreneurs operating in Shanghai.

Transnational entrepreneurs face distinct challenges in their host country, which result in a unique emotional engagement with the entrepreneurial journey. The findings of my research highlight the significance of life circumstances, emotional experiences, and relatedness in the entrepreneurial process and the overall well-being of transnational entrepreneurs. Building upon these lived experiences, I seek to present EWB as a dynamic and ongoing process, characterized by the continuous interaction and integration between the self and the world (others and external environment), reflecting a continuous state of "being and becoming." Such theoretical development not only adds to the existing literature on EWB by emphasizing the entrepreneurial dimension but also sheds light on contextualized entrepreneurship by underlining the role of emotional experiences, and relatedness (interpersonal connections) in the pursuit of EWB.

In a broader context, entrepreneurship is a global phenomenon, offering an attractive career option for individuals, including migrants and expatriates. Nevertheless, the significance of EWB for entrepreneurs demands increased attention from policymakers, support institutions, and entrepreneurs themselves. By framing EWB as a continuous journey of self-development and its interaction with the world (others and external environment), my research aims to offer potential for innovative support policies and practices that aim to unlock the full potential of individuals in entrepreneurship and contribute to the enhancement of both the happiness index and the global prosperity index of society.