Title: Chinese immigrants socio-economic enclave in an Italian industrial district: the case of Prato

Authors: Cristina Santini, Samuel Rabino, Lorenzo Zanni

Addresses: University of Florence, School of Business Administration, Via delle Pandette 9, 50127 Florence, Italy; Universita Telematica San Raffaele, Rome, Italy. ' Northeastern University, College of Business Administration, 202 Hayden Hall, Italy. ' Faculty of Economics R. Goodwin, Department of Business Administration and Social Science – Area Management and Finance, University of Siena, P.za S. Francesco 4, 53100, Siena, Italy

Abstract: This exploratory study seeks to examine the nature of a migrant Chinese network of personal relationships and business interactions, and their level of integration with the traditional Italian firms that are housed in Prato|s industrial district. The specific goal is to understand how do the unique socio-economic entity which defines the quintessential Italian industrial district, and the business culture brought over by migrant Chinese entrepreneurs enmesh with each other. Responses directly collected from 50 Chinese entrepreneurs in Prato – that hosts the largest Chinese community in Italy – through a survey. Data analysis revealed that Chinese firms follow different paths than the Italian firms in Prato. Differences happen because of the strong influence of Chinese cultural heritage on entrepreneurial orientation, strategic decisions and know-how improvement.

Keywords: ethnic entrepreneurs; Chinese immigrants; industrial districts; business interaction; China; Italy; entrepreneurship; personal relationships; migrant networks; business culture; entrepreneurial orientation; strategic decisions; know-how improvement.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2011.038312

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2011 Vol.7 No.1, pp.30 - 51

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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