Comparing the Entrepreneurial Attitudes of Chinese and Brazilian Students

IntroductionEntrepreneurship is viewed by many countries as a powerful source of economic growth and innovation. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor research group generally classifies countries as either high-income or middle-income in terms of economic strength and potential. High-income countries, like the U.S., generally focus on promoting competition, innovation, and growth within the business community. In contrast, middle-income countries, like China and Brazil, are still in the process of developing the necessary infrastructure necessary for entrepreneurship. Some of the characteristics needed for a strong entrepreneurial foundation include greater access to venture capital, stronger property rights, fewer governmental regulations, and more exposure to educational programs and entrepreneurial opportunities (Moy, Luk & Wright, 2003). As noted in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's 2007 Executive Report, these environmental differences generally allow entrepreneurs in high-income countries to focus more on opportunities while entrepreneurs from middle-income countries tend to be more necessity-driven due to adverse market conditions (Bosma, Jones, Autio & Levie, 2008).Since the early 1990s, both China and Brazil have been in the midst of an economic transition which involves moving away from a traditional reliance on large state-controlled businesses and moving toward a greater emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises. These countries, along with Russia and India, have been noted for their great potential in the global economy, and are often referred to as the BRIC nations. While high-income countries generally feature a more established small business sector, many middle-income countries are becoming an attractive market for early stage entrepreneurial activities (Minniti, Allen & Langowitz, 2006). In addition, the level of business development is less pronounced between the various income level groups in these countries, indicating that individuals with fewer resources still have a positive view of entrepreneurship.The current study is an extension of a project that represents the only known on-going effort to gather data on the entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions of college students from around the globe. Although research examining actual entrepreneurship in various nations is conducted by organizations such as the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), very few studies examining entrepreneurial attitudes as the result of differences in culture have occurred (Lindsay, 2005). From a theoretical perspective, examining the attitudes of individuals from differing nations and cultures provides potential insight into propensities toward new venture creation. From a more practical position, knowledge related to students' attitudes and future entrepreneurial intentions can provide a foundation for future entrepreneurial education programs and predictions for future entrepreneurial growth since research has shown that many young adults, particularly 25-34 year olds, are interested in entrepreneurship (Minniti, Allen & Langowitz, 2006). Previous research has indicated that differences do exist across students from different nations; specifically differences between the entrepreneurial attitudes of U.S. and Chinese students have been found. Results indicated that U.S. students have stronger entrepreneurial achievement and innovation attitudes, whereas Chinese students displayed stronger attitudes towards entrepreneurial control and self-esteem (Harris, Gibson & Wang, 2008).China and Brazil play an important economic role within their respective regions, and are poised for substantial growth in the global economy. A greater understanding of the entrepreneurial attitudes and perceptions of young adults from these countries can assist with the development of a more accurate entrepreneurial profile. The 2005 GEM Executive Report indicates that individuals in middle-income countries with post-secondary or graduate education experience are more likely to become involved in early stage entrepreneurial activities (Minniti, Bygrave & Autio, 2006). …