Culture, structure and regional levels of entrepreneurship

Abstract

While the potential importance of cultural factors for entrepreneurship has been stressed by several researchers, empirical research focusing on this issue is scarce. In this study, values and beliefs assumed to be related to entrepreneurial behaviour, as well as entrepreneurial intentions, are investigated amongst the general population in six structurally different clusters of regions within Sweden. The cultural differences found are not very large, but interesting and statistically significant differences exist. The results suggest that the prevalence of certain values affect levels of entrepreneurship measured as regional rates of new firm formation. There is no clear indication that beliefs about the societal and individual outcomes of entrepreneurship influence new firm formation. The results further suggest some intricate relationships between structure, culture and entrepreneurship. These have implications for policy-making as well as research.

Keywords:

• culture
• attitudes
• values
• regional
• entrepreneurship
• firm births
• new venture
• general population