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Who Are China’s Entrepreneurs?

Author

Listed:
  • Simeon Djankov

    (The World Bank)

  • Yingyi Qian

    (UC Berkeley and CEPR)

  • Gerard Roland

    (UC Berkeley and CEPR)

  • Ekaterina Zhuravskaya

    (New Economic School/CEFIR and CEPR)

Abstract

Social scientists studying the determinants of entrepreneurship have emphasized three distinct perspectives: the role of institutions, the role of social networks and the role of personal characteristics. We conduct a survey from five large developing and transition economies to better understand entrepreneurship in view of these three perspectives. Using data from a pilot study with over 2,000 interviews in 7 cities across China, we find that compared to non entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs are much more likely to have family members who are entrepreneurs as well as childhood friends who became entrepreneurs, suggesting that social networks play an important role in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs also differ strongly from non entrepreneurs in their attitudes towards risk and their work-leisure preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Simeon Djankov & Yingyi Qian & Gerard Roland & Ekaterina Zhuravskaya, 2005. "Who Are China’s Entrepreneurs?," Working Papers w0047, Center for Economic and Financial Research (CEFIR).
    • Handle: RePEc:cfr:cefirw:w0047
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • P50 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - General

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