A Study on the Cultural Pathway to Entrepreneurship Structure and Cultivation: Based on Lao-Tzu’s Philosophy of Management

Abstract

Entrepreneurship, a critical source of economic development, requires cultivation to carry it forward. From the perspective of culture, which is the root of thought and attitude, this paper lists the successful entrepreneurs both from China and other countries whose management practices have been influenced by Lao Tzu’s philosophy of management, discusses the convergence of that philosophy with entrepreneurship, and highlights the decisive influence of entrepreneurial mindset. It also explores the cultural pathway to cultivation of entrepreneurship, that is, it addresses the shaping of world outlook of “the unity of humanity and nature” （天人合一） and “something and nothing creating each other”（有无相生）.The paper considers the life outlook of “taking hearts as my own, selflessness defines me”（以百姓心为心，无私成其私 ), the value of “respecting and valuing morality”（尊道贵德） and “staying free from arbitrariness”（自然无为）. Following the requirements of the times and regional cultural characteristics, this paper refines the entrepreneurship structure model at four levels: mission-driven responsibility mindset, awe-inspiring arbitrariness-free mindset, symbiotic and win-win altruism mindset and progressive mindset. The objective is to help to promote the creative transformation of contemporary values of traditional culture.

Keywords

entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship structure, Lao-Tzu’s philosophy of management, cultivation, cultural pathway

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press