Entrepreneurship in China: Lessons from an Academic's Flirtation with Reality
Abstract:
What forces have unleashed the largest entrepreneurial and private venture creation in history? How does is China's experience differ from Western understanding of new venture creation, and what can business people and other savants learn of entrepreneurship in China? Specifically, what should foreign entrepreneurs in China consider in new venture creation initiatives? Based upon a long international career as a professor of strategic management and entrepreneurship in the US, Switzerland, Denmark, and for the last ten years in Shanghai and Chengdu, China, the speaker examines China’s economic development since 2004 and the establishment of new innovative companies, including the commercial developments in regions away from the industrial centres at China’s east coast. The speaker draws upon his personal experience of creating new ventures and from setting up from scratch and managing several development initiatives in Sichuan Province in West China. The lecture will include theoretical implications, personal reflections, but will place emphasis on the hard learned practical business implications from operating as a foreigner in China.
About the speaker:
Dr. Jenster is Professor and Chairman of the Nordic International Management Institute, Chengdu China, and of Strategic Management with the Centre for International Management & Industrial Development, Switzerland and formerly professor at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), Shanghai. He was Professor of International Marketing & Strategy at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) for more than sixteen years, and served as Associate Dean for the CBS's MBA programs. Prof. Jenster is also Professor of the Nobel International Business School, Accra, Ghana. His award winning research is widely published in more than 140 articles, books and case studies.
Professor Jenster is a Fullbright Scholar, and received the Danish Marketing Award 2004 (HBH Prisen) for his work on launching CBS’s global MBA program and in 2009 the Emerald LiteratiNetwork Highly Commended Award for his research. Amongst various board positions, he has served as chairman of Baltic Property Trust Secura, the largest institutional property owner in the Baltics. He is chairman of Chengdu Beixin City of learning Real Estate Co. Ltd., Niche Masters Fund, board member of Publicis Reputation, the executive board of CIMID SA, Switzerland, and previously chairman of the board for Abacus Medicine, Denmark and Unet, Holland. He is also owner of Clos de la Tierra Sana, a vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina. He has help found more than 24 ventures, and remains active in international business development. Dr. Jenster was formerly Danish Consul to Switzerland and currently serves as Copenhagen Goodwill Ambassador to China.