The Making of Entrepreneurship: Does Language Ability Matter? (2024)

Small Business Economics

29 PagesPosted: 13 Mar 2018Last revised: 20 Feb 2020

Date Written: January 13, 2018

Abstract

Business ownership and self‐employment constitute a vital part of the economy. Entrepreneurs can provide employment for themselves and others. While many of the determinants of entrepreneurship have been intensively studied, the link between language ability and entrepreneurship has not. Using the Chinese Migrant Population Data from 2013 to 2014, this paper studies the importance of language ability when immigrants choose to become entrepreneurs. As a unique regional verbal form, dialect is an important channel to show one’s identity. Acquiring the local dialect increases entrepreneurial prospects by helping immigrants build their social network, enhancing their social identity, and reducing barriers to starting a business. We find that immigrants who can understand and fluently speak the local dialect are more like to become entrepreneurs. The effect of language on entrepreneurship is more pronounced in the urban fringe, towns and rural areas, and especially where individuals migrate across different dialectal regions. Gaining local dialect skills positively influence the decision to become either a necessity or an opportunity-driven entrepreneur. This paper reveals the impact of the dialect on startup activities, and it has important implications for immigrant’s employment decisions.

Keywords: Language Proficiency, Dialect, Entrepreneurship, Migrants, China

JEL Classification: M13, M21

Suggested Citation:Suggested Citation

Wei, Xiahai and Jiao, Yang and Growe, Glenn, The Making of Entrepreneurship: Does Language Ability Matter? (January 13, 2018). Small Business Economics, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3139384 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3139384

Xiahai Wei

Independent ( email )

Yang Jiao (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University - Texas A&M University, Texarkana ( email )

7101 University Avenue
Texarkana, TX Texas 75503
United States

Texas A&M University - Texarkana ( email )

7101 University Avenue
Texarkana, TX 75503
United States

Glenn Growe

Fort Hays State University ( email )

Hays, KS 67601
United States
785-628-5682 (Phone)

The Making of Entrepreneurship: Does Language Ability Matter? (2024)

FAQs

The Making of Entrepreneurship: Does Language Ability Matter? ›

In an era of global competition, effective communication, cultural understanding, and the ability to access diverse markets are essential. By mastering new languages, entrepreneurs can position themselves for success, expand their horizons, and connect with a wider range of opportunities and individuals.

Why is language important in business? ›

Languages enable companies to reach international audiences, increasing their growth and expansion opportunities. In business, trust is paramount. Languages play an essential role in building solid relationships with customers, suppliers, and business partners.

What skills are required for an entrepreneur? ›

Examples of entrepreneur skills
  • Business management skills. ...
  • Communication and active listening skills. ...
  • Risk-taking skills. ...
  • Networking skills. ...
  • Critical thinking skills. ...
  • Problem-solving skills. ...
  • Creative thinking skills. ...
  • Customer service skills.
Nov 9, 2023

In what language does entrepreneurship originated? ›

Entrepreneurship. The word itself conjures ideas of innovation, risk and reward. Based on the French word “entreprendre,” it means to begin, initiate or otherwise get something started. Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon coined the term way back in the 1700s.

What is the role of entrepreneurship in economic development in easy language? ›

The role of entrepreneurship in economic development is substantial. After all, entrepreneurs don't just build businesses and grow their personal wealth; they also impact the economy by creating new jobs and opportunities, driving innovation, and developing new markets, products, and services.

Which language is most important for business? ›

The five top languages to learn for international business
  • English. Approximately 400 million people around the world speak English as their first language, including about 230 million in the United States and 60 million in the United Kingdom. ...
  • Mandarin Chinese. ...
  • Spanish. ...
  • French. ...
  • Arabic.

How language differences affect business? ›

Language barriers can make it difficult for employees to understand customer needs. This can lead to inaccurate information being given or customers not receiving the help they need. Poor customer satisfaction.

What are the 5 key of entrepreneurship? ›

Here are five key attitudes every entrepreneur must conquer in order to run a prosperous business venture:
  • PASSION. Entrepreneurs should be passionate about their ideas, goals and, of course, their companies. ...
  • BRAVERY. Entrepreneurs, like everyone else, feel fear. ...
  • FLEXIBILITY. ...
  • STRONG WORK ETHIC. ...
  • INTEGRITY.

Are entrepreneurs born or made? ›

Entrepreneurs are not born; they are made with the right mindset and the right skillset. They need to know how to set priorities, stay disciplined in their work habits, and execute their plans. If you want to be an entrepreneur then you need to practice self-discipline.

What is needed to become an entrepreneur? ›

Are there any educational requirements? There are no specific educational requirements to become an entrepreneur. Some of the most important skills and traits that are helpful for entrepreneurs include critical thinking, creativity, risk-taking, problem-solving, networking, leadership, and communication skills.

Which one is the most important aspect of entrepreneurship? ›

Creativity, initiative, risk-taking and efficiency management are crucial factors to becoming an entrepreneur. Considering oneself as open-minded is one key to being/becoming an entrepreneur.

What is the key concept of making an entrepreneur? ›

Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of starting, managing, and scaling a business. It involves combining innovation, skills, and vision to develop new products, services, or ideas that meet market demand and create value for a target audience.

What is an entrepreneurial mindset? ›

What is an entrepreneurial mindset? An entrepreneurial mindset is a set of skills that enable people to identify and make the most of opportunities, overcome and learn from setbacks, and succeed in a variety of settings.

What are the skills needed by an entrepreneur? ›

To mitigate the risk of financial loss or failure, it serves a business owner to have a certain set of skills. A great entrepreneur must be able to effectively communicate, sell, focus, learn, and strategize. An ability to continuously learn is not just a key entrepreneurial skill, but also a very valuable life skill.

What are the qualities of a successful entrepreneur? ›

8 traits of successful entrepreneurs--Do you have what it takes?
  • Strong leadership qualities. Leaders are born, not made. ...
  • Highly self-motivated. ...
  • Strong sense of basic ethics and integrity. ...
  • Willingness to fail. ...
  • Serial innovators. ...
  • Know what you don't know. ...
  • Competitive spirit. ...
  • Understand the value of a strong peer network.

What are the barriers to entrepreneurship? ›

Four common barriers to entrepreneurship can be identified – inability to access finance, lack of human capital, lack of social capital and discrimination. These have been shown to be experienced in different ways by different groups, as outlined in table 1 below.

How important is language in the workplace? ›

Having strong language skills enables better communication with clients and colleagues, and also helps to work effectively with people from different cultures. It builds solid relationships and reduces frustration where customers or colleagues may otherwise feel that they are not understood or listened to.

What is the business purpose language? ›

A business purpose statement is an official declaration of business objectives in usually a sentence or two. It describes why a business operates and the products or services they offer. A business purpose statement is all-encompassing and includes details about how the business services customer needs.

Why language skills are essential in business communication? ›

Building Rapport: Language skills are instrumental in building rapport with clients and customers. Being able to communicate in their native language or adapting to their preferred communication style helps establish trust, strengthen relationships, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Why is positive language important in business? ›

Positive language can aid in the resolution of difficult circ*mstances, the development of rapport, and the exceeding of client expectations. Businesses can establish deeper client relationships and foster customer loyalty by employing phrases that indicate caring, thanks, and a readiness to solve problems.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 6245

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.