Dimensions of entrepreneurship: a study of first and second generation ethnic Chinese in Melbourne

This thesis explores the entrepreneurial behaviours of first and second generation ethnic Chinese in Melbourne. Immigrants have contributed to Australia’s economic growth since the European settlement in the 19th century. In recent years, especially since the new non-discriminatory immigration policies were introduced in the 1970s, large numbers of Asians have migrated to Australia. This new wave of migrants from Asia has added to the European migration, creating a vibrant and successful multicultural Australia. In providing and enabling economic growth, entrepreneurship has been in the forefront of Australia’s development (Collins 2000). Since the Second World War, large numbers of Greeks and Italians, among other European settlers, have contributed to small business growth in Australia. Many of these businesses are now in the hands of second and third generation immigrants. Very little research has studied their growth phenomenon, especially given that immigrant entrepreneurs have contributed to the development of the Australian economy. With the sizeable and visible contribution of Chinese entrepreneurship in Australia in recent years, it is the aim of this research to study first and second generation Chinese entrepreneurs. The study will concentrate on the Chinese entrepreneurs in Box Hill’s Chinatown. Since the Chinese communities, as well as other ethnic communities from other countries, have been important in shaping and contributing to the economic potential in Australia, contributions made by these groups of immigrants should be explored and researched. A number of benefits arise from research such as this. In the first instance, this research can provide a better understanding of the skills and human resources required for Australia’s economic development. Secondly, this research can provide a better understanding of immigrants’ entrepreneurship needs and therefore influence policy decisions. Thirdly, as this study is specific to Chinese entrepreneurship in Box Hill, the findings can support the Whitehorse municipality’s economic development plans for the region. Influences as such should be explored and utilized by all levels of the community. Entrepreneurial activities have become stronger and more important in the life of immigrants in Australia. The influx of skill and economic benefits that these entrepreneurs create and grow should ot be underestimated. They not only contribute to the domestic growth of Australia but also they have the ability to connect Australian business with overseas economies through trade. The international connections and the globalization efforts of Australia are assisted by the existence of various, numerous ethnic communities who have settled in Australia. The underlying cultural background of these communities plays an essential role in providing an understanding of the entrepreneurship behaviour in these communities which is currently lacking. The history of ethnic Chinese immigrants in Melbourne who came from Southeast Asian countries and mainland China has been studied previously. However, this has always been in the form of a linear narrative description; there has been relatively limited research on the entrepreneurial behaviours of the first and second generation ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs in Melbourne. This raises the question of what are the differences between the generations in regard to entrepreneurial behaviour. Variably, with the progress of time and social adaptation, the working philosophies and styles of the businesses’ operations are bound to change as the second generation entrepreneurs takes over from the first. The organizational complexity is bound to increase in this progression, which may include the nature of the business, the size of the organization and the human resource requirements. These are explored in this research. Specifically, this research will study the entrepreneurial profiles of the first and second generation ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs in Box Hill in Melbourne, Australia. The research will be based on quantitative analysis of data of both the first and second generation entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the study will be used to compare the generations and to ascertain if the differences mirror those between east and west thinking of entrepreneurship. Differences may be due to the upbringing of the two generations in different cultural environments; in this study, the second generation entrepreneurs are Australians by birth but of Chinese parentage. The study will address the question whether there is a ‘typical Chinese entrepreneurial profile’ when comparing the two generations’ entrepreneurial activities. In addition, the study will test if there is a general ‘culture’ of Chinese entrepreneurs. Another purpose of the research is to explore factors that contribute to the creation of successful entrepreneurs. This may assist further generations of Chinese entrepreneurs and the local Chinese community. This study looks at the perceptions and views of both first and second generation ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs in Melbourne, in relation to business success: 1. Background of the entrepreneurs 2. Motivation of the entrepreneurs 3. Traditional Confucian values of the entrepreneurs 4. Difficulties and hurdles experienced by the entrepreneurs 5. Overseas expansionary vision of the entrepreneurs. Responses were sought from different sectors and levels of the Chinese business communities in Box Hill. These included professionals, restaurants, real estate, and trading companies. However, the purpose of the study is not to identify the characteristics and values within the industry sectors but of the Chinese ethnic businesses generally