From the Differential Mode of Association to Tianxia Geju:A Study on the Evolution Process of China's Outstanding Entrepreneurial Spirit
Promoting entrepreneurship with Chinese characteristics,rooted in'family and country sentiment'and'Tianxia spirit',is key for economic and societal progress.Yet,there's a significant gap in theoretical research on how traditional Chinese culture influences this entrepreneurship.In the contemporary developmental landscape of China,a remarkable breed of entrepreneurs has surfaced,not only characterized by their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit but also distinguished by their profound commitment to social welfare and a deep sense of national belonging.These exemplary Chinese entrepreneurs undoubtedly demonstrate the scope and cultural confidence of Chinese business leaders.They are not only typical representatives of promoting the Tianxia spirit and patriotic sentiments inherent in excellent Chinese traditional culture but also exemplify the contemporary Chinese entrepreneurial spirit.Their actions and philosophies offer vivid examples of the current spirit of entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility,showcasing the profound influence of Chinese culture in modern corporate development.To gain a profound understanding of the essence and impacts of entrepreneurial spirit,we employed the grounded theory method,conducting a comprehensive 10-year follow-up investigation and a 5-year specialized field study on 11 representative entrepreneurs and their enterprises.Following the principle of theoretical sampling,we gradually selected 11 entrepreneurs(A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K)and carried out in-depth interviews with them and their stakeholders,culminating in a rich first-hand data corpus of 1.12 million words.Grounded on this solid data,we strictly adhered to the coding procedures of the grounded theory research method,encompassing open coding,selective coding,and theoretical coding.Through meticulous analysis,we uncovered four core characteristics of Chinese entrepreneurs when confronting self,employees,partners,as well as the public and the natural environment:Self-cultivation and moral integrity,Employee achievement,Symbiotic relationships with multiple parties,and Global responsibility.Based on these findings,we creatively proposed the concept of Tianxia Geju,representing a unique entrepreneurial spirit with Chinese cultural characteristics.Through its selflessness for the greater good spirit and dual happiness of material and heart altruistic behaviors,we further delineated the concept of Tianxia Geju.By engaging in dialogue with the differential mode of association,we delved into the intrinsic structure,spiritual core,and applicable groups of both frameworks,along with their respective scopes and theoretical boundaries.The differential mode of association and the Tianxia Geju,while structurally similar in their hierarchical and sequential ordering,fundamentally differ in their core principles:the former is self-oriented,extending outward based on kinship and ethical relationships,while the latter is altruistically oriented towards universal well-being,treating all within its scope impartially and striving for a world where the world is for the public.The theoretical contributions of this study are primarily manifested in the following aspects:Firstly,we pioneeringly introduced the new concept of Tianxia Geju,providing a fresh theoretical framework for the study of entrepreneurial spirit within the Chinese cultural context.Secondly,by engaging in dialogue with the differential mode of association,we offered theoretical underpinnings to address the drawbacks of the differential management model.Lastly,from the perspective of benevolent enterprises,we provided a new theoretical and practical pathway for corporate social responsibility(CSR),suggesting that Tianxia Geju transforms CSR into an endogenous cognition of enterprises,breaking through the limitations of current CSR research,and offering a new approach for enterprises and multiple stakeholders to create and share comprehensive value.In conclusion,this study not only furnishes a new theoretical angle for understanding the Chinese entrepreneurial spirit but also supplies valuable empirical evidence and theoretical basis for advancing research in the realms of corporate social responsibility and culturally resonant enterprises.Through a thorough exploration of the concept and practical significance of Tianxia Geju,we aspire to provide insightful enlightenment for constructing entrepreneurial spirit concepts with Chinese cultural characteristics and propelling the research and practice of corporate social responsibility.
tianxia gejuthe differential mode of associationentrepreneurship in the chinese contextsocial responsibility of beneficial enterprisegrounded theory
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
