Chinese entrepreneurs: The story of Hou Zhengyu
There were almost no big players in the low-end blue- and grey-collar dispatch segment in which Bridge HR was active. SOE giants and foreign companies all focused on the high-end lucrative markets of the white collar professionals headhunt market. Yet the new Labor Contract Law of China and Bridge HR’s desire to expand into high-end territory poses serious challenges.
To understand how the Chinese entrepreneurs started from scratch and grew to a certain size and how the business evolved as they grew. What entrepreneurial characteristics can be drawn from the case? What contributed to their success? How could MNCs compete with them in China market? As they move forward, what challenges are they likely to face in the future?
1997-2007
Cranfield University
Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
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Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]
NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
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Case reference: IMD-7-2636 ©2025
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