How the “West as method” fails: A study of entrepreneurship education from the perspective of China

Abstract

China's entrepreneurship education has developed a unique model that positions entrepreneurship education as a critical means of talent cultivation, resulting in the “learning through competition” model. Entrepreneurship education in China, imported primarily from the United States, exhibits significant differences. Existing research has highlighted these disparities; however, there is a notable lack of in-depth, detailed descriptions and comprehensive analyses of their underlying causes. Employing qualitative research methods, this study examines how these differences are shaped from a Chinese perspective. It reveals how Chinese higher education perpetuates an Americentric canon within the social sciences, but fails to implement “the West as method” in entrepreneurship education. However, while China has adopted the external aspects of American entrepreneurship education—such as curricula, competitions, and mentorship—the internal logic of the Chinese system differs significantly, resulting in two distinct educational landscapes. Key factor contributing to the China-US differences include market maturity, deficiencies in Chinese comparative education, China's principles of equality rooted in its socialist ideology, the politicized nature of its education system, and a pervasive hustle culture. These elements have shaped China's entrepreneurship education goals, teacher cohorts, landscape and business plan competitions in ways that are distinct from those in the United States. By adopting an ‘Eastern as method’ perspective, this research enriches the discourse on entrepreneurship education and encourages deeper reflection on current practices.