Edward Elgar Publishing Successful Entrepreneurship: Confronting Economic Theory with Empirical Practice

Higher employment, economic growth and innovation are fundamental objectives of modern economies. One effective means of attaining these goals is the development of successful entrepreneurs, and this book aims to provide a deeper, research-based understanding of the factors influencing successful entrepreneurship. Mirjam van Praag compares and contrasts the economic theory of entrepreneurship with determinants of successful entrepreneurship derived from empirical evidence, in an attempt to discover what makes for an accomplished entrepreneur. The author’s state-of-the-art historical, theoretical and empirical research on successful entrepreneurship – all from an explicit economic perspective – comprehensively addresses questions such as: ‘What are the factors that influence individuals’ decisions to start a business venture as opposed to working as an employee?’ and ‘What are the individual characteristics that make one successful as an entrepreneur?’ thereby supporting or dispelling various existing myths. Individual factors contributing to the success of entrepreneurs that are considered include, amongst others, human capital, financial capital and psychological traits. The importance of such factors for the various phases of entrepreneurship, including start-up, delivery and performance is also measured. Providing recommendations that aim to promote successful entrepreneurship, this unique book will be of great importance to a wide-ranging audience, including academics with an interest in economics, social science and business studies. Policymakers, capital suppliers, business consultants and trainers and, of course, potential entrepreneurs themselves will also find the book invaluable. Review ‘. . . there is much of interest here. . . This is an excellent collection of empirical essays on issues of interest to entrepreneurship economists. In particular, post-graduate students will find it a source of inspiration and an object lesson in the many challenges faced in modelling abstruse concepts, using real world data. . . this will be an important reference book for researchers and students. I wish I had been clever enough to write it and I am sure to revisit it.’ -- Mark Freel, International Small Business Journal ‘In this compelling volume, Professor van Praag brings together the fruits of her work on entrepreneurial performance. The book is packed full of insights and is bound to edify the reader. Its rigour and focus would make it well suited for adoption in postgraduate courses on the economics of entrepreneurship.’ -- Simon Parker, Durham University, UK ‘This is an impressive study. It blends theory and evidence to provide answers to one of the biggest questions of our time: what makes and shapes successful entrepreneurs? This book is beautifully crafted and is a must-read for entrepreneurship researchers, applied economists, and a wide range of policymakers. I liked especially the mix of sophisticated statistical analysis and down-to-earth common sense.’ -- Andrew Oswald, University of Warwick, UK About the Author C. Mirjam van Praag, Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Professor of Entrepreneurship, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark