Defining Entrepreneurial Activity: Definitions Supporting Frameworks for Data Collection

18 Pages Posted: 6 Feb 2008 Last revised: 30 Aug 2014

See all articles by Nadim Ahmad

Nadim Ahmad

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)

Richard G. Seymour

University of Sydney Business School

Abstract

This paper sets out definitions of the entrepreneur, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial activity for the purpose of supporting the development of related indicators. The paper recognises the long history in this area and the contention and differences that have existed, and that continue to exist, between academics who have confronted this issue over the last two centuries. It deliberately adopts a more pragmatic approach based on two principles - relevance and measurability - resulting in definitions that are developed from both a bottom-up and top-down approach. Importantly, the definitions emphasise the dynamic nature of entrepreneurial activity and focus attention on action rather than intentions or supply/demand conditions. The paper concludes with an overview of policy implications arising from the definitions.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs, OECD Eurostat Definitions

JEL Classification: C8, M13

Suggested Citation

Ahmad, Nadim and Seymour, Richard G., Defining Entrepreneurial Activity: Definitions Supporting Frameworks for Data Collection. OECD Statistics Working Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1090372 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1090372

Nadim Ahmad (Contact Author)

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, 75775
France

Richard G. Seymour

University of Sydney Business School ( email )

Cnr. of Codrington and Rose Streets
Sydney, NSW 2006
Australia

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