IE China Center presented today its third annual report at the South Summit 2021, “The Intangible Concept Behind a Tangible Economic Miracle (A calling: what drives China’s entrepreneurial class to new heights?)” to contribute to an understanding of the growth of the Chinese economy by taking a more focused examination of the inner world—spirituality, and motivation—of China’s hard-working businesspeople.
This report, with the participation of Tianjin University in China, has conducted studies using different data sources, along with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the extent to a calling in the context of Chinese entrepreneurs and executives, and that underpins their passion and perseverance, especially during difficult times.
“Chinese entrepreneurs are increasingly being encouraged to use their passion to narrowing the gap between rich and poor, in which case a sense of pro-social altruism and a tie between personal values and the future of the nation will be further highlighted in China’s national strategies. An understanding of this trend could help create conversations and collaboration opportunities with Chinese businesses, which is necessary not only for the continuous growth of the Chinese economy but, more importantly, for the world benefit in the coming years”, said Dr. Bin Ma, Academic Director of IE China Center.
The report has taken four aspects as the key elements to understand China’s highly dynamic business culture, as well as the outcome of the decades of rapid economic growth, which have contributed to a better understanding of Chinese entrepreneurs and business leaders in terms of their inner motivations and the resultant outcomes.
“This report probes the spirit that drives Chinese entrepreneurs to overcome political, economic, social and other barriers, in the belief that what drives them is a vocation, not unlike the fiery religious or spiritual calling of the West.”
Félix Valdivieso, Chairman of IE China Center.
“As the report notes, given the religious roots of the concept of vocation, and based on the arguable premise that the Chinese are generally unfamiliar with the religious spirit, research into the origins and purposes of that concept are borrowed from Western religion”, said Félix Valdivieso, Chairman of IE China Center.
Based on this thorough research project, the conclusion is that, in contrast to their peers in the West, Chinese entrepreneurs and business leaders derive their sense of calling about the meaningfulness of work from four major aspects, in order of importance:
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