Entrepreneurial heterogeneity and the design of entrepreneurship policies for economic growth and inclusive development

Elisa Calza and Micheline Goedhuys

No 2016-043, MERIT Working Papers from United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Abstract: Entrepreneurship is the object of renewed and increasing attention, not only by academics, but also by policy makers worldwide. This interest partly results from a positive perception of entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth, and the urgency for policy makers to find ways to stimulate and sustain economic growth, in developed as well as in developing countries. This trend raises the need to have a clear understanding of the role of entrepreneurship in the economy and society. This paper acknowledges that there is a large heterogeneity across entrepreneurs in their ability to contribute to economic growth. We present insights from macro-economic studies supporting this statement. We next take a micro perspective and discuss the evidence based literature to identify the critical factors and entrepreneur characteristics that can lead to entrepreneurial success and contribute to growth. This discussion serves as a framework against which we reflect on the rationales and effectiveness of entrepreneurial policies in developing countries.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; firm growth; development policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L26 O12 O20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-08-29
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-ent, nep-ino, nep-sbm and nep-sog
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:unm:unumer:2016043

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