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Historical Disease Prevalence, Cultural Values, and Global Innovation

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  • Daniel L. Bennett
  • Boris Nikolaev

Abstract

The historical prevalence of infectious diseases has had an enduring effect on innovation around the world. Building on the Parasite Stress Theory of Values, we propose a framework suggestive that the impact of historical disease pathogens on contemporary innovation is transmitted through the development of cultural values as an evolutionary psychological immune system response to ecological conditions. Economic and social interaction between groups was greater (limited) in countries with low (high) pathogen levels, resulting in the development of individualistic (collectivistic) values, which in turn encouraged (impeded) innovation. We provide supportive empirical evidence for a sample of 83 countries.

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  • Daniel L. Bennett & Boris Nikolaev, 2021. "Historical Disease Prevalence, Cultural Values, and Global Innovation," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(1), pages 145-174, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:45:y:2021:i:1:p:145-174
    DOI: 10.1177/1042258720914506
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    3. Christopher J. Boudreaux & Daniel L. Bennett & David S. Lucas & Boris N. Nikolaev, 2023. "Taking mental models seriously: institutions, entrepreneurship, and the mediating role of socio-cognitive traits," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 465-493, August.
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    5. Omang Ombolo Messono & Simplice A. Asongu & Vanessa S. Tchamyou, 2022. "Historical prevalence of infectious diseases and gender equality in 122 countries," Working Papers of The Association for Promoting Women in Research and Development in Africa (ASPROWORDA). 22/005, The Association for Promoting Women in Research and Development in Africa (ASPROWORDA).
    6. Brandon N. Cline & Claudia R. Williamson & Haoyang Xiong, 2022. "Trust, regulation, and market efficiency," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 190(3), pages 427-456, March.
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    8. Daniel L. Bennett & Christopher Boudreaux & Boris Nikolaev, 2023. "Populist discourse and entrepreneurship: The role of political ideology and institutions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(1), pages 151-181, February.
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