TY - JOUR

T1 - In search of the entrepreneurial spirit in China

AU - Shi, Jenny Jiwei

AU - Sewell, Peter

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present research into approaches to employability and entrepreneurship education at two universities: one British (The University of Central Lancashire “UCLan”) and one Chinese (Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade “SIFT”). It explores the similarities and differences in an approach to employability and entrepreneurship education and illustrates best practice. Design/methodology/approach – A combination of questionnaires, observations and statistical comparisons are taken from a PMI2 exchange project (Second Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education) funded by the British Council. Findings – Fundamentally different philosophies in the two countries lead to different models and approaches. Examples of best practices in employability and entrepreneurship education in a global context are highlighted. Models of employability are discussed and the challenges, opportunities and possibilities of future work are also presented. Practical implications – The paper will be of value to teachers and researchers forging links between universities in the UK and China, in particular those that wish to support and encourage employability and entrepreneurship within their curricula. Originality/value – The paper helps to clarify the similarities and differences in approach to employability and entrepreneurship education in the UK and China and offers suggestions for enhancing the success of such collaborations.

AB - Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present research into approaches to employability and entrepreneurship education at two universities: one British (The University of Central Lancashire “UCLan”) and one Chinese (Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade “SIFT”). It explores the similarities and differences in an approach to employability and entrepreneurship education and illustrates best practice. Design/methodology/approach – A combination of questionnaires, observations and statistical comparisons are taken from a PMI2 exchange project (Second Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education) funded by the British Council. Findings – Fundamentally different philosophies in the two countries lead to different models and approaches. Examples of best practices in employability and entrepreneurship education in a global context are highlighted. Models of employability are discussed and the challenges, opportunities and possibilities of future work are also presented. Practical implications – The paper will be of value to teachers and researchers forging links between universities in the UK and China, in particular those that wish to support and encourage employability and entrepreneurship within their curricula. Originality/value – The paper helps to clarify the similarities and differences in approach to employability and entrepreneurship education in the UK and China and offers suggestions for enhancing the success of such collaborations.

KW - China

KW - entrepreneurship education

KW - United Kingdom

KW - Business enterprise

KW - Entrepreneurialism

KW - Higher education

U2 - 10.1108/17561391111106034

DO - 10.1108/17561391111106034

M3 - Journal article

VL - 3

SP - 58

EP - 71

JO - Journal of Chinese Entrepreneurship

JF - Journal of Chinese Entrepreneurship

SN - 1756-1396

IS - 1

ER -