Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

4-1996

Abstract

The entrenchment of entrepreneurs in local, regional, or global business networks based on kinship, clanship, territorial, or ethnic ties has often been cited as characteristic of Chinese business communities in Southeast Asia. Qualitative interviews with Singaporean Chinese merchant-exporters were conducted in order to examine this thesis. The findings reveal that there is a strong tendency among Chinese entrepreneurs in Singapore to rely on external commercial relationships with ‘outsiders’ and ‘friends’ rather with those related by blood or marriage. It is suggested that kinship reciprocity may under some circumstances curb the autonomy and freedom of the transacting actors, thus limiting their abilities to make decisions in the regional and international market-places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords

Ethnic Chinese, entrepreneurs, businessmen, guanxi, Singapore

Discipline

Asian Studies | Business | Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | Organizational Behavior and Theory | Race and Ethnicity

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

SOJOURN: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia

Volume

11

Issue

1

First Page

128

Last Page

151

ISSN

0217-9520

Identifier

10.1355/SJ11-1F

Publisher

Institute of Southeast Asian Studies

Copyright Owner and License

Publisher

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1355/SJ11-1F

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