Cross-Border Practice through the Lenses of Transformative Learning and Uses-and-Gratifications: An Empirical Study of Macao Entrepreneurs in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area

Gaoshan Wu; Ruihua  Liu; Xinyu Zhou; Lian Wang; Xiao Zhang

doi:10.62177/chst.v2i4.657

Authors

Gaoshan Wu Beijing Normal University – Hong Kong Baptist University United International College
Ruihua Liu Guangdong Rising Real Estate Group Co., Ltd.
Xinyu Zhou Guangdong Rising Real Estate Group Co., Ltd.
Lian Wang Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
Xiao Zhang City University of Macau

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62177/chst.v2i4.657

Keywords:

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Macao Entrepreneurs, Transformative learning, Uses and gratifications theory, Cross border entrepreneurship

Abstract

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area positions Macao as an intermediary between mainland China and Portuguese speaking countries, and the coordination of formal institutions and social networks reduces cross border costs. Existing research privileges structure over process and lacks an explanation of how entrepreneurs translate external conditions into capabilities and sustained intention. Drawing on semi structured interviews and thematic analysis with ten Macao entrepreneurs who have cross border experience, this study advances two mechanisms. Situated internalization, comprising situational triggering and capability consolidation, explains how practice is reflected upon and sedimented as organizational knowledge. Motivation sustainment, comprising motivation matching and satisfaction assessment, explains how platform satisfaction is converted into sustained cross border operating intention. Together the mechanisms trace a causal chain linking learning and platform use and provide process indicators that are observable, comparable, and testable. The study operationalizes the alignment of policy and social networks into an actionable framework and offers empirical support and design levers for platform governance and for embedding entrepreneurial learning in practice.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Song, X., Mo, Z., Liu, M. T., Niu, B., & Huang, L. (2022). Cooperator or supporter: how can cross-boundary Macau–Zhuhai metropolis promote regional tourism together?. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 34(10), 2207-2236.

Lee, Y. (2024). Beyond borders: insights from Professor David Ahlstrom on entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging economies. Journal of Management History.

Vong, S. K., & Lo, W. Y. W. (2023). On the (re) move: exploring governmentality in post-colonial Macao’s higher education. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 44(3), 389-406.

Grimm, J. H., Hofstetter, J. S., & Sarkis, J. (2023). Corporate sustainability standards in multi-tier supply chains–an institutional entrepreneurship perspective. International journal of production research, 61(14), 4702-4724.

Lee, T., Liu, C. H., & Lin, J. Y. (2024). Entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance: The role of creativity and managerial ties. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 1-30.

Klapper, R. G., & Fayolle, A. (2023). A transformational learning framework for sustainable entrepreneurship education: The power of Paulo Freire's educational model. The International Journal of Management Education, 21(1), 100729.

Fengcai, Q., Boliang, L., & Yifu, Q. (2025). Research and Countermeasures on Reshaping Organizational Soul and Stimulating Innovation in Chinese High Technology Enterprises from the Perspective of New Quality Productivity. Economics, 12(3), 262-299.

Yang, Y., Ni, Z., Gao, M., Zhang, J., & Tao, D. (2021). Collaborative pushing and grasping of tightly stacked objects via deep reinforcement learning. IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica, 9(1), 135-145.

Leso, B. H., Cortimiglia, M. N., Ghezzi, A., & Minatogawa, V. (2024). Exploring digital transformation capability via a blended perspective of dynamic capabilities and digital maturity: a pattern matching approach. Review of Managerial Science, 18(4), 1149-1187.

Zhang, C., & Meng, Y. (2025). Bridging the divide: technical research and application on legal judgment prediction. Artificial Intelligence and Law, 1-32.

Liang, W., Li, J., Wei, J., Min, Y., & Lam, A. T. Z. (2025). Interdisciplinary situational teaching for postgraduate connotative development: An integrated perspective of scaffolding theory and symbolic interactionism. Journal of International Students, 15(10), 153-176.

Dai, Y., Liang, W., Xv, W., Wu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2023). Exploring the Continuance Intention of Young Chinese Females to Use Social Media: The Case of Xiaohongshu. In Proc. 2023 9th Int. Conf. on Humanities and Social Science Research (ICHSSR 2023), Atlantis Press, pp. 1715-1732.

Feng, X., Wu, Z., Du, M., & Liang, W. (2024). Digital Social Sport Political Communication in China: A New Perspective of Theory, Issues and Paradigm. In Proc. 2024 3rd Int. Conf. on Comprehensive Art and Cultural Communication (CACC 2024), Springer Nature, vol. 863, p. 246.

Gu, P., & Liang, W. (2023). The Inner Dynamics of Kidult Culture: Trending Toys and games, Theme Parks, and Animated Movies. In SHS Web of Conferences, vol. 167, p. 01010, EDP Sciences.

Han, L., Wu, Z., Liang, W., Du, M., Hao, X., Zhang, S., & He, H. (2024). The Intersection of Age and Voice: A Comparative Study of Aging Communication and Youth Political Dialogue in Shenzhen. In Proc. 2024 5th Int. Conf. on Mental Health, Education and Human Development (MHEHD 2024), Atlantis Press, pp. 152-164.

Jiang, Z., Wu, Z., & Liang, W. (2024). Exploring Areas of Neglect: A Qualitative Study on the Dissemination of Sport Information for Over-65s on Social Media in China. In Proc. 2024 5th Int. Conf. on Mental Health, Education and Human Development (MHEHD 2024), Atlantis Press, pp. 617-625.

Liu, Z., Du, M., Liang, W., & Lai, S. (2023). Research on Cross-Cultural Communication Marketing of International Brands–Take Pepsi’s ‘Bring the Fun Home’ Microfilm Commercial Series as an Example. In Proc. 2023 9th Int. Conf. on Humanities and Social Science Research (ICHSSR 2023), Atlantis Press, pp. 1627-1637.

Mao, J., Li, Q., Du, M., Wu, Z., & Liang, W. (2024). Analyzing GrandInfluencers on Douyin: Thematic Trends and Communication Tactics in Online Discourse. In Proc. 3rd Int. Conf. on Culture, Design and Social Development (CDSD 2023), Springer Nature, p. 178.

Wang, Y., J. Pan, Q. Dong, & W. Liang. (2022). Dilemmas and Strategies of Metro Cultural Communication in the Context of ‘Immersive Intelligent Media+ Scene Theory’. In Proc. 2022 6th Int. Seminar on Education, Management and Social Sciences (ISEMSS 2022), Atlantis Press, pp. 2965-2974.

Wang, Y., Liang, W., Chen, S., & Yonglin, D. (2022). Research on the Multidimensional and Sustainable Design Strategy of Streaming Media Under the Integration of User Experience and Perceptive Technology in Greater Bay Area. In Proc. 2022 2nd Int. Conf. on Computer Technology and Media Convergence Design (CTMCD 2022), Atlantis Press, pp. 696-714.

Zhao, Z., Shamshudeen, R. I. B., Jingfang, L., Zhenyu, Q., Wenrui, L., & Adnan, H. B. M. (2024). Research on the image design and communication mode of virtual influencer named Liu Yexi. Journal of the Balkan Tribological Association, 30(6).

Zhengkun, Z., Chuhao, G., Shenhui, S., Junhao, W., Jia, W., & Liang, W. (2025). Technology Acceptance and Service Experience of Elderly Users with AI Translation Tools. Journal of Management World, 2025(1), 467-472.

Zhu, X., Liang, W., Xv, W., & Wang, Y. (2023). The Key Strategies for Increasing Users’ Intention of Self-Disclosure in Human-Robot Interaction through Robotic Appearance Design. In SHS Web of Conferences, 165, 01012, EDP Sciences.