The Role of Social Capital in the Development of Chinese Family Business —The case of Chengxin Group HU Jianyong Thesis submitted as partial requirement for the conferral of Doctor of Management Supervisor: Professor Nelson Antonio, Full Professor, ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon Co-supervisor: Professor LI Shiming, Professor, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, School of Management and Economics April 2013 - Spine - nagement Innovation: HU Jianyong HU Social Capital and Ma The Cases Studies of two Chinese Private SMEs The Role of Social Capital in the Development of Chinese Family Business —The case of Chengxin Group HU Jianyong Thesis submitted as partial requirement for the conferral of Doctor of Management Supervisor: Professor Nelson Antonio, Full Professor, ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon Co-supervisor: Professor LI Shiming, Professor, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, School of Management and Economics April 2013 Declaration I declare that this thesis does not incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any university and that to the best of my knowledge it does not contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text. Signed Date _________________ Name: _____________ 作者申明 本人郑重申明：除了论文致谢中明确说明并致以谢意的部分外，所呈交的论文不 包含任何他人或作者本人已用于获得任何教育机构的学位和证书而使用过的材 料。同时尽我所知，除了文中特别加以标注引用的内容外，本论文不包含任何其 他个人或集体已经发表或撰写的成果作品。 作者签名： 日期： 姓名(拼音) Abstract With the further deepening of economic globalization, Chinese family business will face more intense competitive market environment. In order to survive and develop, they must continue to carry out activities with independent innovation and entrepreneurship. Therefore, a basic and important question is how the family business achieves the sustainable development, the ongoing success of innovation, entrepreneurial activities and ultimately realizing their own diversified development? This study is based on the relevant research, following the idea of "social capital - resources - enterprise development" and made the "social capital of family business and enterprise development" as the research's main line. By the in-depth analysis of the development process of Chengxin Group, this study put forward that social capital is an intangible resources and productive elements which cannot be ignored in the development process of family business. By embedding in the organization and individual entrepreneurs, social capital affects the governance and development direction of family business. Key words: Family business; Social capital; Resource-based view; Chengxin Group, China JEL: M10 Resumo Com o aprofundamento da globalização, as empresas familiares chinesas enfrentarão uma maior concorrência. Para que possam sobreviver e crescer, devem continuar a desenvolver atividades inovadoras e empreendedoras. Contudo, uma questão importante a colocar é como as empresas familiares conseguem um desenvolvimento sustentável no quadro da inovação, de atividades empreendedoras e diversificação das suas atividades? Esta tese tem por base a teoria “capital social- recursos-desenvolvimento da empresa” e investiga o papel do capital social no desenvolvimento das empresas familiares. Baseando-se no estudo da empresa familiar Chengxin Group, esta tese confirma que o capital social constitui um ativo muito importante no desenvolvimento das empresas familiares. Embrenhando-se na empresa e nos empresários, o capital social afeta o modo de governança das empresas familiares. Palavras Chave: Empresa familiar; capital Social; Teoria dos Recursos; Chengxin Group; China JEL: M10 Acknowledgements This thesis is a demonstration of the results in my two years’ DBA study. Due to my lasting efforts, the thesis is finally completed, which marks the finish of my DBA study. Looking back the past years’ hard working, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have helped in bringing this thesis to a successful end. First of all, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to ISCTE Lisbon University Institute and University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, which provide me such precious learning opportunity. As an owner and senior manager of a big family business, time is limited and many business matters may bother you. However, lifelong learning is what I exactly expected. During my DBA study, many teachers taught me profound knowledge which would be of great help for my future work. High tribute shall be paid to my two supervisors: Professor Nelson Antonio in ISCTE Lisbon University Institute and Professor Li Shiming in University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. Professor Nelson Antonio and his wife Professor Virginia Trigo travelled to China many times to guide my paper work, and they even come to the company where I am working to provide on-site guidance. What’s more, they gave me much valuable advice on every section of my thesis. In the meantime, from the topic selection of this thesis to getting research conclusion in all stages, Professor Li Shiming’s help and supervision played an important role. Professor Li Shiming possesses solid theoretical basis in Chinese management science and rich practical experience in business management, and he has been providing me and my company with good suggestions. I am also deeply indebted to the leaders in School of Management and Economics of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. They are Dean Zeng Yong, Profeesor Zhao Biquan and Vice-president Teng Ying. Thanks also go to the hard work of DBA project’s teachers, especially Professor Xiao Wen and Dr Sun Ping. Their steadfast work builds a good platform for our study and communication. My gratitude is also paid to Doctor Shen Yan, Doctor Alfred, Master Shi Hao and Master Yang Dongxu who help me a lot on my research. Special thanks would go to my colleagues. Time is always the scarce resources for a manager of an enterprise, and their supports contributed a lot to the completion of this thesis. They assisted me in collecting data, interviewing people and discussing questions, which are not only beneficial for the research in this thesis, but also provide useful ideas in the company’s business management. Lastly, my thanks would go to my beloved family for their loving considerations and great confidence to me. Without their supports, it would be difficult for me to overcome the pressures coming from my work and study. They are the strong backing of my career forever. Thank you. All the people who have helping me! Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 1.1 Research background.................................................................................................1 1.2 Research problem......................................................................................................4 1.3 Research value and contribution................................................................................4 1.4 Research structure......................................................................................................6 Chapter 2: Relevant theoretical literature review........................................................................9 2.1 Family Business.........................................................................................................9 2.1.1 Definition of family business..............................................................................9 2.1.2 Family business in China..................................................................................12 2.2. Resource-based view(RBV) study...........................................................................15 2.3 Social capital theory ................................................................................................20 2.3.1 Social Capital....................................................................................................20 2.3.2 The Types of Social Capital .............................................................................23 2.3.3 The characteristics of social capital..................................................................24 2.3.4 The measurement of social capital....................................................................24 2.4 Familiness................................................................................................................27 Chapter 3: Research design and methods..................................................................................28 3.1 Research methods: case study..................................................................................29 3.1.1 Research philosophy.........................................................................................29 3.1.2 Case study.........................................................................................................29 3.1.3 Other research methods ....................................................................................31 3.2 Data collection.........................................................................................................32 3.2.1 First hand data: in-depth interview...................................................................32 3.2.2 Secondary data..................................................................................................35 Chapter 4: Development of Chinese family business ...............................................................37