Applicability of the Lean Startup methodology to entrepreneurship in China. The case of Startup Weekend PolyU Hong Kong
Author
Kyosev, Viktor
Term
4. term
Publication year
2016
Submitted on
2016-05-30
Pages
111
Abstract
Formål: Afhandlingen giver et overblik over startup-økosystemerne i det kinesiske fastland og Hongkong gennem Startup Weekend, en amerikansk organisation, der afholder entreprenørskabsevents. Den peger på faktorer bag Startup Weekend Hongkongs succes og den langsomme vækst på fastlandet. Antallet af afholdte events ses som en central succesfaktor, fordi events er Startup Weekends hovedprodukt; flere events tyder på højere efterspørgsel og bedre lokal tilpasning. Efter en drøftelse af kritiske succesfaktorer undersøger afhandlingen, hvor godt Lean Startup-metoden (hurtig test og iterativ udvikling) passer til entreprenørskab i Folkerepublikken Kina. Da Startup Weekend bygger på Lean Startup, afhænger dets succes af, hvor anvendelig denne ramme er lokalt. Design/Metode: Afhandlingen anvender M. Freses Action Theory (om hvordan planlagte handlinger relaterer sig til entreprenørielle resultater) som teoretisk ramme. Et pragmatisk paradigme er valgt for at sikre sammenhæng mellem teori og design, med abduktiv ræsonnering, der kombinerer induktion og deduktion. Metoden er kvalitativ og multimodal: semistrukturerede interviews og observationer. Strategien er et enkelt casestudie af Startup Weekend Hongkong, specifikt eventet 1–3 april 2016 ved Polytechnic University Hong Kong. Tidsmæssigt er studiet tværsnitligt. Sekundære data er trianguleret med primære data for at teste fundenes gyldighed. Resultater: Hongkongs startup-økosystem har fået momentum gennem lokal regerings indsats og, i nogen grad, udbredt brug af Lean Startup. På det kinesiske fastland har historie og kultur formet et anderledes økosystem, der sjældent følger vestlige metoder som Lean Startup og Design Thinking (brugerdrevet problemløsning). Empiriske observationer viser, at nogle entreprenører er tilbageholdende med at dele ideer pga. bekymringer om immaterielle rettigheder, hvilket tyder på svag metode–marked-fit mellem Lean Startup-praksis og dele af den kinesiske entreprenørkultur. Begrænsninger: Begrænset tid og finansiering indsnævrede studiets omfang til et enkelt casestudie i Hongkong frem for en bredere dækning af hubs som Beijing og Shanghai. Praktiske implikationer: Studiet giver et overblik over de to økosystemer og forklarer Startup Weekends succes i Hongkong og langsommere vækst på fastlandet. Det er relevant for Startup Weekend China og forskere, der undersøger forbindelsen mellem Action Theory og entreprenørskab i Kina. Originalitet/Værdi: Så vidt forfatteren ved er dette den første vurdering af entreprenørskab i Kina gennem Startup Weekend og kobler entreprenørskab, Action Theory og Lean Startup i en kinesisk kontekst.
Purpose: This thesis provides an overview of the startup ecosystems in Mainland China and Hong Kong through the lens of Startup Weekend, an American organization that runs entrepreneurship events. It identifies factors behind Startup Weekend Hong Kong’s success and the slow growth of Startup Weekend in Mainland China. The number of events is treated as a key success indicator because events are Startup Weekend’s core product; more events suggest stronger demand and better local fit. After discussing critical success factors, the thesis examines how well the Lean Startup Methodology (rapid testing and iterative development) applies to entrepreneurship in the People’s Republic of China. Because Startup Weekend is based on Lean Startup, its success in any market depends on how well this framework fits local conditions. Design/Methodology: The study uses M. Frese’s Action Theory (how planned actions relate to entrepreneurial success) as its theoretical framework. A pragmatic research paradigm is chosen to align theory and design, using abductive reasoning that combines elements of induction and deduction. The method is qualitative and multi-method: semi-structured interviews and observations. The strategy is a single case study focusing on Startup Weekend Hong Kong, specifically the event held on 1–3 April 2016 at Polytechnic University Hong Kong. The time horizon is cross-sectional. Secondary data is triangulated with primary data to check the validity of the findings. Findings: Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem has gained momentum thanks to local government efforts and, to some extent, the widespread adoption of Lean Startup. Mainland China’s long history and distinctive culture have shaped a different ecosystem that seldom follows Western approaches such as Lean Startup or Design Thinking (human-centered problem solving). Empirical observations indicate that some entrepreneurs are reluctant to share ideas due to intellectual property concerns, suggesting a weak method–market fit between Lean Startup practices and aspects of China’s entrepreneurial culture. Research limitations: Limited time and funding constrained the study to a single case in Hong Kong, rather than broader coverage of hubs such as Beijing and Shanghai. Practical implications: The thesis offers an overview of the two ecosystems and reasons for Startup Weekend’s success in Hong Kong and slower growth in Mainland China. It is relevant to Startup Weekend China and to scholars studying links between Action Theory and entrepreneurship in China. Originality/Value: To the author’s knowledge, no prior work has examined China’s entrepreneurship through the lens of Startup Weekend. This study connects entrepreneurship, Action Theory, and the Lean Startup Methodology in the Chinese context.
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