Entrepreneurship Guest Lecture Series Spring 2009: Peter Conlon, Ammado

Since 2021, amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a novel economic phenomenon has quietly emerged in urban settings. In the spaces between office buildings, outside commercial districts, along riverbanks, and beside squares, rows of car trunks meticulously transformed into unique mini-shops have become a common sight. These “car boot sales,” or “trunk markets[MM1] ,” typically operate after sunset, offering a blend of everyday life and artistic flair, creating a self-healing space nurtured by the city itself. Since 2022, car boot sales have gained significant traction on Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, with over 80,000 posts tagged “car boot sales” and related videos amassing over 1.5 billion views on TikTok. Car boot sales in China represent a fusion of “street stalls,” “night markets,” and the traditional “car boot sales” originating in the UK during the last century[MM2] . While UK car boot sales are typically daytime events held on summer weekends, featuring second-hand goods, the Chinese version is predominantly a nighttime activity selling a wide range of first-hand items such as snacks, drinks, handmade crafts, and trendy toys (Greene & Storey, 2010). The 2 participants in these markets often include young people, distinguishing them from traditional street vendors and night market sellers. They might be freelancers, shop owners, or office workers engaging in side businesses. Many have interests in off-roading, coffee culture, or trendy collectables, and they frequently use social media for promotion. Despite the rapid rise and popularity of car boot sales, comprehensive research on their impact on vendors’ social livelihood and wellbeing is still lacking (Hobbs, 2022). Car boot sales in China closely relate to the informal economy and night economy, sharing characteristics of irregularity and nocturnality (Huang et al., 2020). Research on informal employment has explored motivations and influencing factors, focusing on macro-level characteristics while neglecting microlevel perspectives such as individual behaviours and values (Huang, 2009). Studies on street vending and mobile vendors primarily address government regulation and social integration, lacking an in-depth examination of individual vendor behaviours (Huang et al., 2022). Similarly, research on the night economy highlights cultural and recreational aspects from the consumer and spatial perspectives, but few scholars have delved into the traits (Farrer, 2018). Existing studies have predominantly focused on economic aspects, often overlooking the social dimensions that are crucial in shaping vendors’ experiences (Crewe & Gregson, 1998). This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the motivations behind vendors’ participation in car boot sales, their impact on social livelihood, and the role of social networks and relationships formed in these markets. The concept of social livelihood encompasses various facets of an individual’s life, including economic stability, social relationships, and psychological wellbeing (Sakdapolrak, 2014). Previous research on informal economies suggests that participation in such markets can significantly impact these areas. Social capital, derived from networks and relationships, is pivotal to individuals’ 3 economic activities and overall wellbeing (Monger, 1990). However, there is a dearth of research specifically examining car boot sales through this lens. Shenzhen’s unique development as a reform pioneer, high urban mobility and renewal, and diverse vendor population make its car boot markets an ideal case study for this research. This study seeks to understand the broader social implications of car boot sales, addressing the existing gap in the literature by examining the motivations, impacts, and social networks associated with these markets. By investigating these dimensions, the research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how car boot sales affect vendors’ lives, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The primary objectives of this study are to identify the motivations and factors behind vendors’ decisions to enter car boot sales, assess the impact of car boot sales on vendors’ social livelihood, and examine how social networks and relationships formed at car boot sales influence business success and community integration. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, this study employs in-depth interviews and observations to gather data. The research design includes selecting a diverse sample of vendors, conducting semistructured interviews, and analyzing the data using thematic analysis while adhering to ethical considerations such as confidentiality and informed consent. The central thesis of this study posits that participation in car boot sales significantly impacts vendors’ social livelihood and well-being. This impact is mediated by the social networks and relationships formed within these markets, contributing to vendors’ business success, community integration, and overall quality of life. This paper is structured as follows: Chapter 2 provides a detailed review of existing research on social livelihood, informal economies, and social capital theory. Chapter 3 describes the research design, data collection methods, and analytical approach. Chapter 4 presents the findings of the study, organized by the research 4 questions and themes identified during the analysis. Chapter 5 interprets the findings, discussing their implications for theory, practice, and policy. Chapter 6 summarizes the key findings, contributions of the study, and suggestions for future research. By examining the social aspects of car boot sales, this study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of how these markets affect vendors’ lives, providing valuable insights for future research and policy formulation. [MM1]Chinese names here [MM2]A bit too vague

Since 2021, amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a novel economic phenomenon has quietly emerged in urban settings. In the spaces between office buildings, outside commercial districts, along riverbanks, and beside squares, rows of car trunks meticulously transformed into unique mini-shops have become a common sight. These “car boot sales,” or “trunk markets[MM1] ,” typically operate after sunset, offering a blend of everyday life and artistic flair, creating a self-healing space nurtured by the city itself. Since 2022, car boot sales have gained significant traction on Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, with over 80,000 posts tagged “car boot sales” and related videos amassing over 1.5 billion views on TikTok. Car boot sales in China represent a fusion of “street stalls,” “night markets,” and the traditional “car boot sales” originating in the UK during the last century[MM2] . While UK car boot sales are typically daytime events held on summer weekends, featuring second-hand goods, the Chinese version is predominantly a nighttime activity selling a wide range of first-hand items such as snacks, drinks, handmade crafts, and trendy toys (Greene & Storey, 2010). The participants in these markets often include young people, distinguishing them from traditional street vendors and night market sellers. They might be freelancers, shop owners, or office workers engaging in side businesses. Many have interests in off-roading, coffee culture, or trendy collectables, and they frequently use social media for promotion. Despite the rapid rise and popularity of car boot sales, comprehensive research on their impact on vendors’ social livelihood and well�being is still lacking (Hobbs, 2022). Car boot sales in China closely relate to the informal economy and night economy, sharing characteristics of irregularity and nocturnality (Huang et al., 2020). Research on informal employment has explored motivations and influencing factors, focusing on macro-level characteristics while neglecting micro�level perspectives such as individual behaviours and values (Huang, 2009). Studies on street vending and mobile vendors primarily address government regulation and social integration, lacking an in-depth examination of individual vendor behaviours (Huang et al., 2022). Similarly, research on the night economy highlights cultural and recreational aspects from the consumer and spatial perspectives, but few scholars have delved into the traits (Farrer, 2018). Existing studies have predominantly focused on economic aspects, often overlooking the social dimensions that are crucial in shaping vendors’ experiences (Crewe & Gregson, 1998). This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the motivations behind vendors’ participation in car boot sales, their impact on social livelihood, and the role of social networks and relationships formed in these markets. The concept of social livelihood encompasses various facets of an individual’s life, including economic stability, social relationships, and psychological well�being (Sakdapolrak, 2014). Previous research on informal economies suggests that participation in such markets can significantly impact these areas. Social capital, derived from networks and relationships, is pivotal to individuals’ economic activities and overall well�being (Monger, 1990). However, there is a dearth of research specifically examining car boot sales through this lens. Shenzhen’s unique development as a reform pioneer, high urban mobility and renewal, and diverse vendor population make its car boot markets an ideal case study for this research. This study seeks to understand the broader social implications of car boot sales, addressing the existing gap in the literature by examining the motivations, impacts, and social networks associated with these markets. By investigating these dimensions, the research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how car boot sales affect vendors’ lives, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The primary objectives of this study are to identify the motivations and factors behind vendors’ decisions to enter car boot sales, assess the impact of car boot sales on vendors’ social livelihood, and examine how social networks and relationships formed at car boot sales influence business success and community integration. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, this study employs in-depth interviews and observations to gather data. The research design includes selecting a diverse sample of vendors, conducting semi�structured interviews, and analyzing the data using thematic analysis while adhering to ethical considerations such as confidentiality and informed consent. The central thesis of this study posits that participation in car boot sales significantly impacts vendors’ social livelihood and well-being. This impact is mediated by the social networks and relationships formed within these markets, contributing to vendors’ business success, community integration, and overall quality of life. This paper is structured as follows: Chapter 2 provides a detailed review of existing research on social livelihood, informal economies, and social capital theory. Chapter 3 describes the research design, data collection methods, and analytical approach. Chapter 4 presents the findings of the study, organized by the research questions and themes identified during the analysis. Chapter 5 interprets the findings, discussing their implications for theory, practice, and policy. Chapter 6 summarizes the key findings, contributions of the study, and suggestions for future research. By examining the social aspects of car boot sales, this study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of how these markets affect vendors’ lives, providing valuable insights for future research and policy formulation. [MM1]Chinese names here [MM2]A bit too vague

Entrepreneurship Guest Lecture Series