This study examines the concept of institutional entrepreneurship in early 20th-century Chinese literature, focusing on the works of Lu Xun and contemporaries. It aims to understand how these figures used literature to critique societal norms and catalyze institutional change, particularly during the May Fourth and New Culture Movements.
A qualitative methodology was adopted, integrating case studies, textual analysis and interviews with literary scholars. The research explores critical historical movements and examines the mechanisms through which literary works influenced societal transformation.
The findings reveal that literature served as a potent tool for institutional entrepreneurship by critiquing entrenched social norms, advocating cultural renewal and mobilizing public consciousness. Authors like Lu Xun leveraged allegorical narratives, such as in “A Madman’s Diary” exposing feudal oppression and vernacular language to democratize access to literature, stimulate social debate and influence institutional reforms.
This study extends the application of institutional entrepreneurship theory to cultural and artistic domains, showcasing literature’s transformative potential. It highlights the role of nontraditional actors, like literary figures, in shaping institutional environments and provides a novel perspective on the intersection of literature and institutional change.
