Chinese Returnees Research Articles

Returnee CEOs Under Weak Institutions: Blessing or Curse?

This paper studies CEOs with overseas experience, known as returnee CEOs. We show that Chinese returnee CEOs are associated with inferior performance, lower market reactions to appointment announcements and an adverse regulatory environment. We argue that CEOs’ international expertise is acquired at the opportunity cost of local social capital, such as political and business ties, which is more critical than expertise in transition economies with weak legal institutions. The negative effect disappears when social capital is acquired, regional legal institutions are strong or returnees’ international expertise is in demand. Exploiting an exogenous increase in the supply of returnee talent as a result of new provincial policies, we find the results consistent.

Knowledge and internationalization of returnee entrepreneurial firms

This study aims to answer whether and how returnee entrepreneurs’ international experience and returnee entrepreneurial firms’ international market knowledge influence these firms’ internationalization. Anchored in a framework combining an entrepreneurial and knowledge-based view, we develop a model and four hypotheses on the relations between returnee entrepreneurs’ international experience, international market knowledge, international market commitment, and level of internationalization of the returnee entrepreneurial firm. Empirical evidence of the proposed model is derived from a recent sample of Chinese returnee SMEs in knowledge-intensive and high-technology industries. The main finding is that returnee entrepreneurs’ international experience nurtures international market knowledge of returnee entrepreneurial firms, which in turn has a positive effect on these firms’ international market commitment and level of internationalization. In terms of theory, the study extends our understanding of returnee entrepreneurial firms by uncovering the role of returnee entrepreneurs’ international experience and returnee firms’ international market knowledge during their initial and early international expansion.

Summary of the General Discussion on “Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou”

October 01 2016 Summary of the General Discussion on “Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou” Author and Article Information Online Issn: 1536-0083 Print Issn: 1535-3516 © 2016 by the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology2016Massachusetts Institute of Technology Asian Economic Papers (2016) 15 (3): 219–220. https://doi.org/10.1162/ASEP_a_00473 Cite Icon Cite Permissions Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Search Site Citation Summary of the General Discussion on “Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou”. Asian Economic Papers 2016; 15 (3): 219–220. doi: https://doi.org/10.1162/ASEP_a_00473 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsAsian Economic Papers Search Advanced Search Fukunari Kimura noted that the sample was about 200 firms, which is unproblematic when ordinary least square estimations are used. It is more difficult in the fixed-effect estimations, however, because then only firms that switch from no FDI to FDI, or from FDI to no FDI, remain in the sample. It seems that there are relatively few of these firms, which might also explain part of the low explanatory power of the fixed-effect estimations. Iikka Korhonen discussed the economic significance of the results. He noted that such significance would be easier to interpret if the authors looked at other output variables such as productivity or market share. Many participants were surprised by the fast growth in the number of Chinese returnees. A discussion emerged on what the main cause could be. Some suggested an increased trend of job protection in western economies, whereas others thought it was mainly due to... You do not currently have access to this content.

Comments by Vu Quoc Huy, on Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou

Comments by Vu Quoc Huy, on Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou

Comments by Yan Zhang, on Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou

Comments by Yan Zhang, on Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou

Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou

The rapid growth and high levels of internationalization by Chinese firms raise a natural interest in the study of the factors that have led to the notable international presence of Chinese firms. To contribute to this effort, we use data from the 2008–10 survey of China's high-tech firms, conducted by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, to estimate the determinants of Chinese firm outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). In our analysis, the primary independent variables include high-tech intensity, human capital acquisition, and institutional factors. We also controlled for various firm characteristics such as firm age, total value of fixed assest, and firm ownership. Estimation from our fixed-effects model uncovers a number interesting patterns in OFDI outcomes. Most notable among the significant determinants of OFDI, the number of Chinese returnees employed by a firm seems to be more important than tax reduction policies. Further, the influence of the Chinese returnees have a stronger effect on non–state-controlled firms than they do for state-controlled firms. This finding is intuitive, because the Chinese returnees who were trained in the West have an understanding of product markets, labor markets, financial markets, language and business culture, and trade laws in both China and the West. Their unique skill sets and knowledge appear to serve as an important catalyst in the growth of OFDI and internationalization by Chinese firms.

HUMAN CAPITAL, PERCEIVED DOMESTIC INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG HIGHLY SKILLED CHINESE RETURNEES

Over the past two decades, returnee entrepreneurs have emerged as major promoters of business startups and entrepreneurship in China. Recognizing their positive impact in promoting new and innovative companies, Chinese national and local governments have instituted a raft of preferential policies aimed at assisting returnee entrepreneurs. Based on a survey of Chinese returnees and returnee entrepreneurship from 2011 to 2012, this paper examines how human capital and perceptions of domestic institutional quality affect entrepreneurial activity among highly skilled returnees. We find their educational levels, overseas work experience, the degree to which they bring back new business models and their perception of domestic economic opportunities affects the likelihood of such individuals becoming entrepreneurs. Our work suggests regulatory transparency discourages returnees from entering entrepreneurship, suggesting the relationship between regulatory transparency and entrepreneurial behavior is more complex than is portrayed in previous research done on this matter. The results of our analysis are robust against a number of rigorous statistical specification checks.

When sojourners return: Employment opportunities and challenges facing high-skilled Chinese returnees

Focusing on the increasingly large numbers of Chinese students undertaking postgraduate programs overseas, this paper examines how international higher education shapes their subsequent career development in China. The specific focus is on their employment status, the impact of Australian higher education, and the challenges they experience upon returning home. A leading Australian university was chosen as the case study, and a mixed research method was adopted. By analyzing questionnaire and interview data, the paper argues that holding an international qualification is no longer adequate for employment success in China’s competitive labor market; rather, different forms of intellectual capital need to be consolidated and utilized. Unlike the previous generation of returnees who gained prestigious positions and made changes to China’s development immediately upon their return, the research finds that the current generation of sojourners faces a different and more complex set of opportunities and challenges. Although the majority of such graduates still retain an advantage in China’s crowded graduate labor market, the context is much more competitive.

Chinese Returnees and High-Tech Sector Outward FDI: The Case of Changzhou

The rapid growth and high levels of internationalization by Chinese firms, raise a natural interest in the study of the factors which have led the notable international presence of Chinese firms. To contribute to this effort, we use data from the 2008-10 survey of China's High-tech firms, conducted by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, to estimate the determinants of Chinese firm outward FDI (OFDI). In our analysis, the primary independent variables include high-tech intensity, human capital acquisition, and institutional factors. We have also controlled for various firm characteristics such as firm age, total value of fixed assets, and firm ownership. Estimation from our fixed-effects model uncovers a number interesting patterns in OFDI outcomes. Most notable, among the significant determinants of OFDI, the number of Chinese returnees employed by a firm seems to be more important than tax reduction policies. Further, the effects of the Chinese returnees have a stronger effect on non state-controlled firms than they do for state-controlled firms. This finding is intuitive, since the Chinese returnees who were trained in the West have an understanding of product markets, labour markets, financial markets, language and business culture, and trade laws in both China and the West. Their unique skill sets and knowledge appear to serve as an important catalysts in the growth of OFDI and internationalization by Chinese firms.

Paradoxes and cultural challenges: case of Moroccan manager returnees and comparison with Chinese returnees

This paper aims to study the phenomenon of cultural adaptation in management practices among managers who studied abroad and came back to their country of origin. It will analyse, in the Moroccan context, if managers suffer from local business practices. This paper will shed light on what managers have done in terms of behaviour, strategy and key factors of success to overcome cultural gaps. These Moroccan managers, well-educated and steeped in western culture, find themselves out of line from the way local organisations are managed. The paper will point out three major management paradoxes. A comparison with Chinese returnees will show to what extend both phenomenon are close and how managers adapted their leadership style regardless of the cultural differences between countries. This research aims to answer the following question: Why do traditional managerial concepts taught in western universities may not work as expected in a different cultural context?

Chinese returnees' conceptions of positive career outcomes after graduating from Australian universities – quantitative findings

This paper reports the quantitative findings of a study on conceptions of positive career outcomes held by Chinese students who returned home to work after gaining higher education qualifications in Australia. The study explores what positive career outcomes mean to Chinese returnees, the actual positive career outcomes Chinese returnees have experienced and contributing factors to the positive career outcomes achieved. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used and here the analysis of the quantitative findings is presented. The survey data show that Chinese returnees assign greater importance to ‘soft outcomes’ relating to personal and life fulfilment than ‘hard outcomes’ such as employment results. Also, the discrepancy between the returnees’ ideal and actual outcomes is greater in the soft outcomes than the hard outcomes. Statistical analysis indicates three emergent, distinct groups of conceptions of positive career outcomes. The qualitative findings will be presented separately.

Chinese Returnees from Overseas Study: An Understanding of Brain Gain and Brain Circulation in the Age of Globalization

Chinese Returnees from Overseas Study: An Understanding of Brain Gain and Brain Circulation in the Age of Globalization

Insider Knowledge or Insider Liability? The Role of Ethnic Identity of Overseas Chinese Returnees

Chinese and foreign organizations operating in China employ overseas Chinese employees, believing they can better transfer knowledge between China and foreign countries. Mechanisms affecting their ...

International Knowledge Spillovers and Returnee Entrepreneurship: Evidence from China

Extending the knowledge spillover perspective of entrepreneurship to a transnational context, we investigate the extent to which returnees can fill international knowledge gaps affects their entrepreneurial decisions and the moderation effects of policy support in their home country and their cross-cultural adjustment. By analysing first-hand survey data of Chinese returnees, we find that returnees with new technologies are more likely to become entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the positive relationship between new technology and returnee entrepreneurial decisions is strengthened by the home country's supportive policies, but is weakened by the difficulties in adjusting to local culture in the home country.

“Middling” Chinese Returnees or Immigrants from Canada? The Ambiguity of Return Migration and Claims to Modernity

:This paper investigates the conceptual overlaps between transnational return migration and immigration by drawing on a qualitative study of Mainland Chinese return migration from Canada. The paper argues that reframing return migration as a distinct type of immigration draws attention to the citizenship vulnerabilities experienced by “middling” returnees who are not privy to the preferential treatment given to highly skilled returnees. They come to be considered as “foreigners” in their homeland because they have naturalised elsewhere. The paper also explores the double diasporic identifications of Mainland Chinese returnees from Canada; it highlights the tensions and fissures manifested in secondary diasporas, particularly in light of China’s growing prominence in international business, foreign diplomacy and cultural exchanges. The paper suggests that social encounters that marginalise such migrants in Canada are reproduced in China. The returnees navigate such encounters by mobilising their transnational affiliations to different national contexts.

Exploring career agency during self‐initiated repatriation: a study of Chinese sea turtles

PurposeDrawing on career and self‐initiated expatriation/repatriation literatures, this paper aims to examine the career experiences of Chinese self‐initiated repatriates after their return to China.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted an exploratory, qualitative study involving in‐depth interviews with 20 Chinese individuals who returned to China after spending at least three years living, studying and/or working in a range of “host” countries.FindingsThis study shows that the career agency of Chinese returnees reflects both independent and interdependent factors. It provides specific empirical support for Tams and Arthur's argument that career agency is impacted by both individual and contextual factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings indicate the central role played by individual proactivity and contextual influences during self‐initiated repatriation. The small sample size allows for rich data, but limits the generalizability of the findings.Practical implicationsManagerial practices that address the unique career values and expectations of self‐initiated repatriates can facilitate the application of skills and knowledge acquired abroad to the local context. Policy makers should provide more institutional support to encourage and facilitate the return of overseas Chinese.Originality/valueThis study is among only a small number to explore the experiences of self‐initiated repatriates in developing countries. Recent research has addressed the importance of recognizing and identifying the boundaries that constrain and enable global careers. This study identifies a number of such boundaries and also adds to the understanding of the challenges and difficulties of repatriation.

Reconsidering the Educational Practices for Chinese Returnee Students

Reconsidering the Educational Practices for Chinese Returnee Students

Entrepreneurial and Business Elites of China: The Chinese Returnees Who Have Shaped Modern China

Entrepreneurial and Business Elites of China: The Chinese Returnees Who Have Shaped Modern China

A Burkean analysis of China Is Not Happy: a rhetoric of nationalism

As a sequel to China Can Say No, China Is Not Happy is the bestseller of 2009 in China. The book praises China's post-80s generation for their act of patriotism, condemns the West, in general, and the United States, in particular, for exploiting the Chinese and for causing a global economic crisis. It also criticizes the Chinese liberal elite and overseas returnees for being Western-influenced mental slaves and traitors. The authors of the book call for an abandonment of “literary tone”, advocate a tough stand against Western countries, and envision China as the leader of the world through its economic and military power. This paper examines the major themes and belligerent rhetoric employed in the book through an application of Kenneth Burke's rhetorical concepts of identification, terministic screens, and representative anecdotes. The author of this paper contends that such use of rhetoric demonstrates the language habit of China's political discourse in its modern history, escalates blind nationalism, and widens the gap in intercultural understanding between China and the US.

Book Review: Entrepreneurial and Business Elites of China: The Chinese Returnees Who Have Shaped Modern China

Book Review: Entrepreneurial and Business Elites of China: The Chinese Returnees Who Have Shaped Modern China