Huang, Jingxi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7947-7933, Chan, Jin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6275-9763, Piterou, Athena ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4138-113X and Huang, Anne-Marie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0383-9253 (2024) A new creative entrepreneurship: the case of “Jing Drifters” in China. In: The Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) 2024, 6th - 7th November, 2024, Sheffield, UK. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Creative industries have grown significantly in recent years, becoming key components of the global economy and generating numerous jobs. Chang and Chen (2020) show that this growth has not only increased the economic significance of these industries but has also sparked considerable interest among researchers studying creative entrepreneurship. The craft sector, particularly, has attracted considerable attention as it has become a major cultural and economic force (Valdimarsdóttir, 2024). Despite the hard work and low salary involved in craft making (Luckman and Luckman, 2015), an increasing number of people are choosing it as a long-term career (Valdimarsdóttir, 2024). Craftsmen can be regarded as part of the “creative class,” defined as people who are primarily paid to engage in creative work, such as scientists, engineers, artists, musicians, designers, and knowledge-based professionals (Florida, 2002).

Members of the creative class may migrate, opting to leave their homes to pursue careers elsewhere. Past research suggests that the migration motivations of these creative migrants can often be explained by amenity migration (Moss, 2006). Specifically, they choose to relocate not because of higher income opportunities but to live in better natural settings or places with specific socio-cultural aspects (i.e., cultural amenities), such as a particular lifestyle, local community character, tradition, religious practice, or small-scale production practices of a unique character (Moss, 2006). Additionally, Hansen and Niedomysl (2009) indicate that most migration activities among the creative class occur shortly after university graduation, with these individuals primarily relocating in pursuit of job opportunities rather than specific locations. Lifestyle mobility, which blurs the boundaries between leisure and work, has also been used to explain the migration of creative entrepreneurs (Sun and Xu, 2017). These individuals make fast decisions to move and ultimately return to their original locations. Furthermore, passion has been proven to motivate the migration of the creative class as these individuals seek to enhance their skills in new environments (Guercini and Ceccarelli, 2020). However, there is a lack of understanding of how they build their social capital and develop their career in the new location.

The field site selected is Jingdezhen, a small town in China known historically as the “Porcelain Capital of the World.” It has been synonymous with ceramic craftsmanship for over a millennium. The city’s strategic emphasis on its cultural heritage has reinvigorated its contemporary relevance in the art world, with several porcelain clusters, and generated substantial economic activities. Porcelain-making is now returning from history to be one of the major economic sectors in Jingdezhen.

In recent years, Jingdezhen has experienced a significant wave of young self-employed craftsmen from various parts of China and around the globe. In 2022, approximately 30,000 young individuals settled in the city, drawn by its reputation and opportunities in the ceramics industry (Liu, 2023). This migration has given rise to a phenomenon known as “Jing Drifters” - a term used to describe self-employed craftsmen who initially come as visitors but choose to become long-term residents (Liu, 2023).

However, the migration motivations of these Jing Drifters may differ from those of typical entrepreneurs and lifestyle entrepreneurs. This might be because Jing Drifters are previous visitors; their motivation to travel might also influence their migrant motivation, which has not been explored in the literature. Pursuing authentic experiences is a motivation for travel (Skandalis et al., 2024). It is still unclear whether the theory of authenticity can explain the migration motivation of Jing Drifters. In addition, Jingdezhen is a place where traditional and novel creative crafts coexist (Liu and Xu, 2024). Moreover, conflicts emerge regarding the stability of the relationship between tradition and creativity, mainly due to copying and counterfeiting issues that infringe on creative craftspeople's rights. Jing Drifters might face the challenge of continuing traditional crafts or integrating innovation into the existing crafts of Jingdezhen. In addition, it is unclear how Jingdezhen’s nearly centuries-old ceramic culture and the atmosphere of ceramic making might have influenced the migration motivations of Jing Drifters. To date, little research has been undertaken to provide an in-depth understanding of the underlying reasons behind the movements of these individuals. Our paper will offer a novel perspective that is currently lacking in the literature.

Considering that Jing Drifters have only recently settled in the city, they may not yet be well-integrated within the local professional networks of artisans, which would provide access to specialist resources, skills, and advice, with very little social capital. Small businesses rely on networks of friends, family, and paid advisors to access resources, including advice and emotional and material support (Hanlon & Saunders, 2007). This study will evaluate how Jing Drifters may draw on pre-existing networks to support their migrations and then support their transition from visitors to creative entrepreneurs, while they develop new contacts in the Jingdezhen ceramics cluster. Some studies demonstrate that peer assistance in the form of networking with other creative entrepreneurs who are simultaneously competitors is an additional source of advice and support (Kuhn et al., 2015), As aspiring crafts entrepreneurs, Jing Drifters may be motivated primarily by love and passion rather than money and existing business networks (Scott Morton and Podolny, 2002). Their motivation may be linked to the type of assistance they expect from their peers (Kuhn et al., 2015). In the case of Jing Drifters, their peers may include other Jing Drifters or local craftspeople originally from Jingdezhen.

Research Aims

Our research aims to achieve several primary objectives. We intend to develop a multilevel framework that enhances our understanding of the diverse factors influencing Jing Drifters' career trajectories. Also, we aim to explore how these factors either facilitate or hinder their professional development and network expansion within Jingdezhen. To address these objectives, we have formulated several key research questions: (1) Why do Jing Drifters, who could be categorised as part of the ‘creative class,’ choose to move to Jingdezhen, China, and what factors influence their decision to stay? (2) What challenges do Jing Drifters face as they attempt to develop their careers in this place? (3) How do the social capital - networks of Jing Drifters grow and evolve within the local context of Jingdezhen? (4) How did their career and identity develop?

Methodology

This research will employ a qualitative method, focusing on semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of young self-employed craftsmen for around 1-1.5 hours to capture a broad spectrum of experience. The planned sample will comprise 30-40 participants, ensuring a balance of gender, diverse cultural backgrounds (e.g., including foreigners), and a range of residency durations in Jingdezhen to fully represent the spectrum of experience among the ‘Jing Drifters.’ Interviewers will discuss Jing Drifters – why they choose to live and work in Jingdezhen, and how the heritage of Jingdezhen interacts with their motivations. This research will also investigate the factors that contribute to the livelihoods they sustain, the challenges they encounter, and their responses to these challenges. Furthermore, it will explore how they access resources and competencies from Jingdezhen’s creative clusters to develop their careers.

Interviewers will approach participants by leveraging local networks within Jingdezhen’s craft and cultural sectors (e.g., by attending their craft courses), facilitated by established connections and collaborations with local creative communities and institutions (e.g., Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute). This approach will be enhanced by narrative analysis, mapping Jing Drifters’ eco-network, and focusing on individuals' personal stories to deeply understand their motivation, experience, career trajectories, and network building.

Contribution

Our study is expected to uncover several key findings regarding the motivations, challenges, and network dynamics of Jing Drifters. We anticipate discovering that the primary motivation for these craftsmen entrepreneurs is deeply rooted in the authenticity and extraordinary experiences in Jingdezhen travelling and a strong desire to immerse themselves in Jingdezhen’s rich ceramic heritage, rather than purely economic benefits. Additionally, we expect that while Jing Drifters face significant challenges, such as integrating into the local craft market and supply chain, navigating cultural differences, and managing relationship tensions with local residents, they also exhibit a remarkable ability to adapt and innovate within this traditional craft context.

Therefore, the contribution of this research is twofold. First, it will enrich the literature on creative migration by providing a detailed case study of Jing Drifters, whose unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit represents a novel form of creative class migration. By doing so, we will further enrich the existing research on creative classes (Florida, 2002) and how they develop their social capital and careers. Our research will highlight the socio-cultural and economic factors that influence their migration and settlement decisions, offering a better understanding of how craftsmen integrate into and impact local economies. Second, by exploring the network-building processes among Jing Drifters, our research will contribute valuable insights into the role of professional networks in supporting creative entrepreneurship within culturally rich but economically challenging environments. These findings will not only be beneficial for policymakers aiming to foster the development of creative hubs but also for future entrepreneurs considering migration as a strategy for career development.

Implications for Policy and Practice

Our research has implications for policymakers and practitioners. For policymakers, understanding the specific needs and contributions of transient creative populations can guide the development of supportive infrastructures and policies that enhance cultural integration and economic development. Creative migrants often lack business preparation and have a high failure rate, therefore, training, seminars, and platforms provided by local governments can be helpful (Sun and Xu, 2017). For practitioners within the creative industries, insights into the dynamics of network building and resource access can inform strategies for sustainable practice and community engagement. This research aims to shed light on the emerging phenomenon of Jing Drifters, providing valuable insights into the interplay between cultural engagement, identity formation, and economic sustainability in the context of Jingdezhen’s unique heritage and creative industry. It contributes to the discourse on urban regeneration, the challenges and opportunities of creative clusters, and the broader implications for cultural policy and practice, and regional regeneration in post-industrial towns and cities. Furthermore, the study seeks to inform strategies for supporting sustainable careers.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Speech)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	creative industries entrepreneurship, Jingdezhen, ceramics
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Greenwich Business School Greenwich Business School > Networks and Urban Systems Centre (NUSC) Greenwich Business School > School of Business, Operations and Strategy
Last Modified:	07 May 2025 11:00
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/50323

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