Trusting local translation: Experiences from transplanting a 'Made in Britain' entrepreneurship course in China

Maris Farquharson, Anders Örtenblad, Shih wei Hsu

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

As export education is destined to be one of the new growth industries, an entrepreneurship course designed in the United Kingdom is exported to China. We reflect on the transplantation of entrepreneurship theory. Knowledge as it travels becomes decontextualised, but by relying on actor-network theory, we find that knowledge multiplies. Students in China were able to contextualise knowledge to fit with local circumstances. Relying on a single case study, narratives were shared by Chinese students exposed to the same entrepreneurship course. We identified artefacts, people, institutions and relationships in social-networks translating student realities of learning entrepreneurship. Their narratives revealed translation to be rooted in power struggles and historical and familial constructs. Contrary to the expectations of previous studies, there may be no need for teachers to contextualise course content. Students are capable of doing this. Teachers can therefore trust in local translation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)182-199
Number of pages18
JournalManagement Learning
Volume45
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2014

Keywords

  • Actor-network theory
  • China
  • entrepreneurship
  • international education
  • narratives

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Decision Sciences
  • Strategy and Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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