A LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF BUSINESS CREATION AMONG CHINESE COLLEGE STUDENTS

Business creation among Chinese college students has gained increasing national importance as a strategy for fostering economic development, innovation, and employment. However, while entrepreneurial activities present substantial opportunities, they are also accompanied by complex challenges that may impede student success. This study systematically reviews the empirical research on the benefits and challenges associated with business creation among Chinese college students. Using a structured three-phase model based on the work of Karabulut-Ilgu et al., 39 peer-reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2025 were selected from major academic databases. The findings reveal that entrepreneurial activities enhance students’ personal competence, employment ability, and self-efficacy while contributing to economic and social development. However, significant challenges persist, including resource constraints, psychological pressures, institutional barriers, and educational gaps. These results underscore the dual reality facing student entrepreneurs: substantial opportunities coexist with persistent obstacles. This review highlights variations across regional and institutional contexts and identifies gaps in longitudinal and cross-cultural research. By providing an integrated synthesis, this study contributes to advancing the theoretical understanding and offers practical insights for improving entrepreneurship education and support systems in Chinese higher education.