Entrepreneurial Adaptation Research Articles

Bringing the party back in: the CCP and the trajectory of market transition in China

The article suggests a conceptual framework for understanding the logic and dynamics of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) organizational adaptation to market conditions and the consequences of this process for the trajectory and outcomes of the Chinese reform process. I define the CCP’s adaptation to market as “entrepreneurial” in nature with party cadres and agencies at different levels becoming not only oriented towards the goal of increasing local economic output and productivity but also directly involved in profit-making activities. I also argue that despite increased opportunities for rent-seeking and corruption, the CCP’s struggle for its organizational survival in the process of entrepreneurial adaptation has positively influenced the trajectory of Chinese market transition. By providing its agents powerful incentives to uphold the necessary degree of compliance with central policies, by limiting lucrative “easy avenues” for profit-seeking and value-subtracting behavior, by preventing the formation of powerful interests capable of hijacking the reform process, and by imposing painful but necessary economic rationalization measures, the party became an imperfect but crucial substitute for the lack of institutions necessary to guide the process of creating markets.

Internet Café Entrepreneurs

Internet cafés represent a potential means of bridging the information gap between social groups and geographical areas This study examines the spread of Internet cafés in Indonesia The main objectives are to identify characteristics of Internet café entrepreneurs and to enhance the understanding of preconditions for the provision of Internet access by small-scale private enterprises. A survey methodology is used and the data reveal clear statistical associations between entrepreneurial adaptations, such as connection types and service variety, and success variables. The authors' policy recommendations include government intervention, primarily in infrastructure development and awareness creation, for a more equitable spread of access to information through the Internet.

Social capital and farming at the rural–urban interface: the importance of nonfarmer and farmer relations

Because of growth and development in agricultural areas at the rural–urban interface, a variety of farmer adaptations have been identified. While exiting from farming or entrepreneurial adaptations that tap urban markets are frequently identified responses, farmers might also attempt to develop social capital, or neighborly relations, with nonfarm neighbors to mitigate social constraints created by nonfarmer concerns at the rural–urban interface. In a case study of an agricultural region within a large metropolitan area, this research reports data from a survey of farm and nonfarm residents ( N=620). The analysis operationalizes the concept of social capital, nonfarmer trust of farmers and frequency of nonfarmer interaction with farmers, to determine whether these social relations have a discernable impact on nonfarmer support or tolerance of agriculture. Results reveal a relationship, indicating that support and tolerance of agriculture is stronger when nonfarmers report the existence of social capital with farmers. These findings have implications for farm operator adaptations as well as community capacity to preserve or develop local agriculture.