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How Second-Generation Entrepreneurs Negotiate Strategic Autonomy: A Qualitative Study in Chinese Family Firms

Xing, Jing LU and Wu, Wenli LU (2026) ENTN19 20261
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
This study examines how second-generation entrepreneurs in Chinese family firms negotiate strategic autonomy through identity work. Existing research has discussed second-generation entrepreneurship, strategic autonomy, and identity construction in family firms, but it offers limited understanding of how second-generation entrepreneurs develop decision-making space while remaining embedded in family authority structures. Based on semi-structured interviews with second-generation entrepreneurs in Chinese family firms, this study identifies four interrelated dimensions through which identity work supports autonomy negotiation: cognitive self-empowerment, relational identity work, structural autonomy construction, and competence-based... (More)
This study examines how second-generation entrepreneurs in Chinese family firms negotiate strategic autonomy through identity work. Existing research has discussed second-generation entrepreneurship, strategic autonomy, and identity construction in family firms, but it offers limited understanding of how second-generation entrepreneurs develop decision-making space while remaining embedded in family authority structures. Based on semi-structured interviews with second-generation entrepreneurs in Chinese family firms, this study identifies four interrelated dimensions through which identity work supports autonomy negotiation: cognitive self-empowerment, relational identity work, structural autonomy construction, and competence-based autonomy negotiation. The findings show that strategic autonomy is not simply inherited through family status or formal position. Instead, it is gradually built as second-generation entrepreneurs reinterpret family expectations, gain relational acceptance, create organizational space, and make their competence visible within the family firm. By showing how these mechanisms connect identity work with autonomy negotiation, the study contributes to research on second-generation entrepreneurship, strategic autonomy, and identity work in family firms. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Xing, Jing LU and Wu, Wenli LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENTN19 20261
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
second-generation entrepreneurs, strategic autonomy, identity work, family firms, China
language
English
id
9240533
date added to LUP
2026-06-23 16:18:15
date last changed
2026-06-23 16:18:15
@misc{9240533,
  abstract     = {{This study examines how second-generation entrepreneurs in Chinese family firms negotiate strategic autonomy through identity work. Existing research has discussed second-generation entrepreneurship, strategic autonomy, and identity construction in family firms, but it offers limited understanding of how second-generation entrepreneurs develop decision-making space while remaining embedded in family authority structures. Based on semi-structured interviews with second-generation entrepreneurs in Chinese family firms, this study identifies four interrelated dimensions through which identity work supports autonomy negotiation: cognitive self-empowerment, relational identity work, structural autonomy construction, and competence-based autonomy negotiation. The findings show that strategic autonomy is not simply inherited through family status or formal position. Instead, it is gradually built as second-generation entrepreneurs reinterpret family expectations, gain relational acceptance, create organizational space, and make their competence visible within the family firm. By showing how these mechanisms connect identity work with autonomy negotiation, the study contributes to research on second-generation entrepreneurship, strategic autonomy, and identity work in family firms.}},
  author       = {{Xing, Jing and Wu, Wenli}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{How Second-Generation Entrepreneurs Negotiate Strategic Autonomy: A Qualitative Study in Chinese Family Firms}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}