Development of Social Enterprises in Rural Island Tourism in China

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the major development stages of social enterprises (SEs) in rural island tourism in China. The authors establish a conceptual framework with which to analyze the key factors affecting development in the context of Chinese social and economic institutions. Informed by the SE life cycle model, the study adopted a case study approach, with the Boxue Eco Village on Hainan Island as the case. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group interviews, and observations. Institutional characteristics at every stage, including entrepreneurial, collectivity, standardization, and refinement, were analyzed. Based on the specificity of the SE of rural tourism in this case, the authors summarize the influencing factors that shaped the development process of the enterprises. First-hand data were collected through interviews with entrepreneurs, management staff, villagers, and other stakeholders. The model was modified according to the research results, and provides a more integrated model suitable for SEs in the Chinese islands. This study establishes a conceptual framework with which to analyze the development process of SEs in rural tourism within the institutional context of China. This framework could be applied to understand the substantial development of emerging SEs in China.