Moderating effects of networks on the relationship between acculturation and entrepreneurial skills development: Evidence from Africans trained in China

Abstract

With the growing number of Africans living in China for education and business engagements, it is timely and relevant to study how they are influenced by Chinese cultural values. Applying the theory of acculturation, this article analyses the influence of Chinese culture on the entrepreneurial skills of Africans trained in China. Several reports in the existing literature suggest that adaptation can lead to improved performance and creativity. We extend this to include both social and business networks as moderating factors. Using a survey of 378 African returnees from China, we found out that sociocultural and academic adaptations influence entrepreneurial skills development positively, whereas psychological adaptation has a negative effect. In terms of moderating effects, networking seems to have a negative effect on the relationship between academic adaptation and entrepreneurial skills development. However, it does not significantly moderate the impact of psychological and sociocultural adaptations on entrepreneurial skills development.