Explaining International Differences in Entrepreneurship: The Role of Individual Characteristics and Regulatory Constraints

Silvia Ardagna and Annamaria Lusardi ()

No 14012, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We use a micro dataset that collects information across individuals, countries, and time to investigate the determinants of entrepreneurial activity in thirty-seven developed and developing nations. We focus both on individual characteristics and on countries' regulatory differences. We show that individual characteristics, such as gender, age, and status in the workforce are important determinants of entrepreneurship, and we also highlight the relevance of social networks, self-assessed skills, and attitudes toward risk. Moreover, we find that regulation plays a critical role, particularly for those individuals who become entrepreneurs to pursue a business opportunity. The individual characteristics that are impacted most by regulation are those measuring working status, social network, business skills, and attitudes toward risk

JEL-codes: M13 M38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-ent, nep-hrm, nep-reg and nep-soc
Note: AG
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (115)

Published as Explaining International Differences in Entrepreneurship: The Role of Individual Characteristics and Regulatory Constraints , Silvia Ardagna, Annamaria Lusardi. in International Differences in Entrepreneurship , Lerner and Schoar. 2010

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Chapter: Explaining International Differences in Entrepreneurship: The Role of Individual Characteristics and Regulatory Constraints (2010)
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