Female entrepreneurs’ leadership communication in China: Strategies and institutional determinants

Zifei Fay Chen, Ji, Y. G., Ji, Y., Wang, Y., & Men, L. R. (Accepted). “Female entrepreneurs’ leadership communication in China: Strategies and institutional determinants.” International Journal of Business Communication.

Abstract: In the post-COVID China, entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, faced unprecedented challenges after the vibrant entrepreneurial landscape was profoundly disrupted during the COVID-19 lockdown. To explore Chinese female entrepreneurs’ leadership communication strategies and their institutional determinants, we conducted in-depth interviews with 30 Chinese female entrepreneurs in 2023. Findings revealed five major themes of effective leadership communication strategies for female entrepreneurs in China: the coupling of assertive and responsive communication, transparent communication, authentic communication, charismatic communication, and relationship-oriented communication. Normative institutional factors had the most prominent impact on shaping these communication strategies, with cognitive and regulatory factors also playing important roles.