Entrepreneurial Capacity to Exploit Opportunities, New Product Development and Firm Performance: A Comparative Study of UK and Chinese High-Tech Firms
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Holloway University of London
Department Name: Sch of Management
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Catherine Wang (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Catherine Wang (Author)
(2009)
What drives Chinese entrepreneurs to set up new ventures? : case studies of pharmaceutical and medical devices firms
L. Wang C
(2014)
Entrepreneurial preparedness: an exploratory case study of Chinese private enterprises
in International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
Li X
(2015)
Inter-firm collaboration in new product development in Chinese pharmaceutical companies
in Asia Pacific Journal of Management
Sheehan M
(2015)
Handbook of Research Methods on Human Resource Development
Wang C
(2012)
Ambidextrous Organizational Culture, Contextual Ambidexterity and New Product Innovation: A Comparative Study of UK and C hinese High-tech Firms
in British Journal of Management
Wang C
(2009)
Organizational diversity and shared vision Resolving the paradox of exploratory and exploitative learning
in European Journal of Innovation Management
Wang C
(2012)
West Meets East: Toward Methodological Exchange
Wang C
(2012)
Entrepreneurial leadership and context in Chinese firms: a tale of two Chinese private enterprises
in Asia Pacific Business Review
| Description | The main findings include: (a) a balanced innovation portfolio requires a balance between exploratory and exploitative activities; (b) to achieve this, firms need to encourage diversity/creativity whilst channelling diversity towards the organisational goal, in addition to R&D investment; (c) only 7.5% of Chinese high-tech firms surveyed have worked with UK firms; many do not know much about UK firms nor how to go about finding UK collaborators; and (d) UK firms require different levels of support to enter the Chinese market or collaborate with Chinese firms. |
| Exploitation Route | Contribution to business practice. This project has helped managers to understand the fundamentals of building an organisational culture that helps to promote entrepreneurial activities and develop a balanced innovation portfolio; the latter is instrumental for firms, especially high-tech firms, to reap commercial benefits in the short-term and sustain competitive advantage in the long-term. When collaborating (or seeking to collaborate) with Chinese firms, UK managers must pay due diligence regarding the business model of their potential Chinese partners, rather than simply entering a traditional model of collaboration (e.g. manufacturing and/or distribution in China). There are diverse opportunities for UK businesses to take advantage of the development and upgrade of Chinese firms' innovative capabilities. Contribution to policy. Whilst the UK government encourages businesses to collaborate with Chinese firms, there is the lack of effective support for businesses. The findings highlight that at least three levels of support are required to promote UK-China business exchange: (a) more high-level publicity to promote UK businesses in China; (b) more targeted business bridging services helping UK firms to identify Chinese partners with compatible business models; and (c) basic support for those UK firms with limited cultural awareness and language skills. Potentially, these services can be delivered by different stakeholders, such as social enterprises or intermediary companies, rather than simply relying on public resources. Contribution to public understanding. This project has contributed to the general public interest in the rise of China as an economic powerhouse, and the opportunities for, and threats to, the West. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other |
| URL | http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Management/Research/Chinese-firms/research-findings.html |
| Description | The findings have informed business practice and academic research through events, workshops and publications. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
| Sector | Education,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | A comparative analysis of innovative capabilities of UK and Chinese high-tech firms based on a large-scale survey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | |
| Results and Impact | This event was a UIBE-Royal Holloway, University of London joint seminar on China-UK entrepreneurship and innovation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | |
| URL | http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Management/Research/news/2010/UIBE-seminar.html |
| Description | Innovation in UK and Chinese high-tech firms : myths and reality |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In this lecture, Professor Catherine Wang helps to understand the myths and reality of new product innovation in UK and Chinese high-tech firms. Based on data collected from 150 UK and 252 Chinese firms, Professor Wang discusses how national culture and organizational culture affect firms' ability to develop new products, and accordingly how managers can instil a culture not only promoting creativity but most importantly turning ideas into action. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.jcilondon.org.uk/diary.php?id=413 |
| Description | Innovation networks in Chinese pharmaceutical companies based on case studies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | |
| Results and Impact | This event was a UIBE-Royal Holloway, University of London joint seminar on China-UK entrepreneurship and innovation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | |
| URL | http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Management/Research/news/2010/UIBE-seminar.html |
| Description | International Research Seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 2010. "UIBE-RHUL Joint Seminar on UK-China Entrepreneurship and Innovation". Research News on the website of the School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Newsletter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 2009. Research on "Entrepreneurial capacity to exploit opportunities, new product development and firm performance: A comparative study of UK and Chinese high-tech firms" from the Economic and Social Research Council. Connect, Royal Holloway, University of London, 8th June. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Newsletter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 2009. "Harnessing innovation". Surrey Enterprise Hub E-Bulletin, May 2009. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Keynote paper on "The effects of national & organizational cultures in resolving the exploration-exploitation paradox in new product innovation: Evidence from UK and Chinese high-tech firms" at the International Interdisciplinary Colloquium: New Immigrants from the BRIC Countries, Anglo-Chinese Managers in the UK & Entrepreneurial Capacity in the UK and Chinese High-Tech Firms, held at the London School of Economics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An invited keynote speaker on the topic of "Entrepreneurial Learning: Research and Practice", as part of the panel for the British Academy of Management Entrepreneurship Special Interest Group Symposium on "What is the Impact of Entrepreneurship Research Today? Perspectives and Thoughts of Entrepreneurship Scholars, Entrepreneurs, & Financiers" held at the University of Roehampton, London. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A keynote speaker on the topic of "Entrepreneurial Learning: New Perspectives in Research, Education and Practice" at the BAM Entrepreneurship SIG event hosted by Sheffield Hallam University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Keynote talk on "Ambidextrous organizational culture, contextual ambidexterity and new product innovation: A comparative study of UK and Chinese high-tech firms" at the University of Wolverhampton. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Keynote talk on "Are entrepreneurs born or made? A tale to two Chinese high-tech private enterprises", given to the Advisory Board of the School of Management Royal Holloway University of London |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Keynote talk on "Entrepreneurial alertness and preparedness: A tale of two Chinese high-tech ventures" at the School of Management, University of Surrey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Workshop on "Horses for courses: Paths to innovation in UK and Chinese high-tech firms", at the Royal Holloway Interdisciplinary Chinese Seminar Series. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Event on "Innovation in UK and Chinese high-tech firms: Myths and reality", given to members (company executives and managers) at the Junior Chamber International at the London Chamber of Commerce. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Research event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Keynote talk on "Global Best Practices in Supporting SMEs: Lessons from China" as part of the "Strategies for Egypt's Economic Recovery Post-Arab Spring", co-organised by King's College London and The Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | UK and Chinese high-tech firms : international collaboration on innovation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This is a research newsletter aimed at business and professional audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2015 |
| URL | http://www.insme.org/documenti/End-user-report-No1-FINAL-18Feb10.pdf |
| Description | UK and Chinese high-tech firms : organisational ambidexterity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This is a research newsletter aimed at business and professional audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |