The motivation of international entrepreneurship: The case of Chinese transnational entrepreneurs

•We have investigated a new business phenomenon, the venturing of transnational entrepreneurs (TEs).•Motivation has been found to be a key construct in international entrepreneurship (IE) research, comprising entrepreneurial vision and its implementation.•Employing qualitative case study methods, this paper investigates these relationships in the new context of the internationaliszation of Chinese TEs socially embedded in their host and home countries.•Subtle changes in established patterns of IE motivation are detected.

The ventures of transnational entrepreneurs (TEs) are a new business phenomenon, representing a fluid context in which established arrangements may be expected to change. In terms of one particular relationship, motivation has been found to be a key construct in international entrepreneurship (IE) research, with two established features of motivation comprising entrepreneurial vision and its implementation. At the same time, nationality has been found to be a consistent influence on entrepreneurial orientation through the impact of culture. Employing qualitative case study methods, this paper investigates these relationships in the new context of the internationalization of Chinese TEs socially embedded in their host and home countries. Subtle changes in established patterns of IE motivation are detected, and Chinese cultural influence may also be weakening to meet the environment of host countries.