The role and characteristics of social entrepreneurs in contemporary rural cooperative development in China: case studies of rural social entrepreneurship

Abstract

Rural communities in China have experienced rapid changes in recent years under the government's policy of ‘new countryside development’. Remarkably, there has been an increase in social entrepreneurship led by village leaders and capable individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit. This research is based on in-depth interviews with several of these social entrepreneurs in multiple villages in Yunnan and Zhejiang provinces in China. It aims to explore the key issues related to the role of social entrepreneurship and leadership in developing rural cooperatives. The findings suggest that there are multiple key characteristics of social entrepreneurship in the process of rural cooperative development. The research findings have implications for rural community development in transitional economies in terms of developing social entrepreneurship capabilities.

Keywords::

• China
• cooperatives
• leadership
• rural community
• social entrepreneurship
• transformation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hong Lan

Hong Lan is an Associate Professor of the Renmin University of China, School of Environment and Natural Resources. Her research focuses on carbon finance and community development.

Ying Zhu

Ying Zhu is a Professor and Director of the Australian Centre for Asian Business, the University of South Australia. His research centres on human resource management, leadership, employment relations and economic development.

David Ness

David Ness is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Barbara Hardy Institute and Australian Centre for Asian Business, the University of South Australia. His research focuses on infrastructure and community development.

Ke Xing

Ke Xing is a Senior Lecturer of the School of Advanced Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering & Barbara Hardy Institute, the University of South Australia. His research centres on information technology and infrastructure development.

Kris Schneider

Kris Schneider is an academic member of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics, University of Vienna. Her research focuses on alternative energy and community development.