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Corruption and Entrepreneurship: Cross‐Country Evidence from Formal and Informal Sectors

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  • Aziz N. Berdiev
  • James W. Saunoris

Abstract

While the impact of institutional quality on formal entrepreneurial activity has been well documented in the literature, whether and to what extent corruption influences entrepreneurship in the informal sector is less forthcoming. In this article, we analyze the effect of corruption on entrepreneurship in the formal and informal sectors. Using unique cross‐country data on formal and informal entrepreneurship, we find that corruption deters entrepreneurship in the formal sector and promotes informal entrepreneurship. These results remain robust even after conducting a series of sensitivity analyses.

Suggested Citation

  • Aziz N. Berdiev & James W. Saunoris, 2018. "Corruption and Entrepreneurship: Cross‐Country Evidence from Formal and Informal Sectors," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 84(3), pages 831-848, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:84:y:2018:i:3:p:831-848
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12250
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    2. Wittberg, Emanuel & Erlingsson, Gissur, 2020. "Do Corrupt Local Governments Inhibit Entrepreneurship? A Contextual Analysis of Start-Ups in Swedish Municipalities," Working Paper Series 1323, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
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    4. Aziz N. Berdiev & James W. Saunoris & Friedrich Schneider, 2018. "Give Me Liberty, or I Will Produce Underground: Effects of Economic Freedom on the Shadow Economy," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 85(2), pages 537-562, October.
    5. Sorgner, Alina & Wyrwich, Michael, 2022. "Calling Baumol: What telephones can tell us about the allocation of entrepreneurial talent in the face of radical institutional changes," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(5).
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    8. Michael Polemis, 2019. "Is the effect of corruption on entrepreneurial activity nonmonotonic? A semi-parametric panel data analysis," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 39(4), pages 2976-2989.
    9. Marcus Dejardin & Hélène Laurent, 2024. "Entry-regulation and corruption: grease or sand in the wheels of entrepreneurship? Fresh evidence according to entrepreneurial motives," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(3), pages 1223-1272, March.
    10. Haddoud, Mohamed Yacine & Nowinski, Witold & Onjewu, Adah-Kole Emmanuel & Souleh, Samah & Elbaz, Ahmed Mohamed, 2024. "Perceived Corruption, entrepreneurial exposure and entrepreneurial career Intention: Evidence from five emerging countries," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
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