Introduction

This book explores the dual nature of entrepreneurship, revealing how it can either drive economic advancement or perpetuate harm, largely influenced by institutional contexts. Leveraging Baumol’s (1990) framework that differentiates between productive, unproductive, and destructive entrepreneurship, we focus our analysis on emerging markets that struggle with institutional voids—characterized by weak regulations, pervasive corruption, and substantial informal sectors—that encourage rent-seeking behaviors. In contrast to advanced economies, where institutional mechanisms can mitigate short-term harms, weaker institutions in emerging markets exacerbate the prevalence of destructive entrepreneurship. This perpetuates a cycle of unproductive resource allocation, heightening inequality, market distortions, and systemic inefficiencies. Employing qualitative and econometric methodologies, the chapters unpack various drivers of harmful entrepreneurship, including survival-driven informality, gaps in education, hierarchical networks, and governance failures. By addressing a critical gap in the existing literature, this volume highlights how institutional deficiencies shape entrepreneurial outcomes in emerging economies, revealing diverse factors and their implications across different contexts. Furthermore, by illuminating the complex interplay between institutional environments and entrepreneurial behavior, the book offers actionable insights for policymakers and scholars. These insights can help realign incentives towards productive ventures, ultimately fostering equitable and sustainable development in resource-constrained settings.