Kauffman Dissertation Executive Summary: 'Three Essays on Regulation and Entrepreneurship'

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes how government regulations can affect entrepreneurship and small business performance. In my first essay, I focus on the relationships between occupational licensing regulation and key business outcomes. In the second essay, I explore whether businesses started as franchises survive longer than those launched as independent businesses, and whether there is a link between state franchise relationship regulation aimed at preventing franchisor opportunism and the survival of franchised businesses. In the final essay, I analyze how personal bankruptcy laws affect entrepreneurship. All three essays rely on confidential U.S. Census Bureau micro-data.

Keywords: Regulation, Entrepreneurship, Industry Dynamics, Occupational Licensing, Franchising, Personal Bankruptcy Laws, Census.

JEL Classification: J44, K35, L22, L26, L51, L84