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The influence of economic recessions on the entrepreneurial intent: a cross-country analysis of the subprime crises

Abstract

The literature, although point variables including lack of public safety, unemployment, corruption and the level of education as factors that influence the increase of entrepreneurial intention, does not investigate the effect of such variables through the existence of the endogenous relationship between economic growth and entrepreneurial intention. The objective of this study is to verify whether the economic recession influences entrepreneurial intention. The sample consisted of 60 234 individuals from 37 countries in 2009. Our results show that in scenarios with major economic downturns, people say they are more conducive to engage in entrepreneurial activities. Such result suggests that individuals seek in the economic crisis for business opportunities that may be motivated, possibly, by entrepreneurship by necessity. These evidences indicate that research on entrepreneurial intention should consider the economic situation of the analyzed environment.

Keywords
Entrepreneurial intention; Economic recession; Entrepreneurial determinants; Risk

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