Essays in Entrepreneurship - Dissertation Executive Summary

Abstract

This dissertation studies who becomes an entrepreneur and why he or she does so, what factors influence the success of an entrepreneurial venture, and what types of institutions best facilitate entrepreneurial activity. The first chapter shows that contrary to the standard result that most self-employed individuals report earning less, they in fact consume more without any observable offsetting (financial) costs. The second chapter studies how the relationship amongst individuals in terms of prior employment influences the success of a new business. Finally, the third chapter presents a theoretical discussion of the emergence of not-for-profit, entrepreneurial organizations.