Regulatory burden, rule of law, and entry of strategic entrepreneurs: an international panel study

Jonathan Levie, Erkko Autio

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264 Citations (Scopus)
88 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Entry into entrepreneurship is a strategic act for individuals who seek an optimal way to exploit their human, social and financial capital. Trade-offs associated with this choice are influenced by institutional conditions. We use signalling theory, employment choice theory and theory on strategic entry to develop hypotheses on the effect of business regulations and rule of law on strategic and non-strategic entrepreneurial entry. Analysing a six-year panel of 54 countries, we find lighter burden of regulation associated with a higher rate and relative prevalence of strategic entrepreneurial entry. Rule of law moderates this effect such that regulation has a significant effect on strategic entry only when rule of law is strong. These findings are robust against alternative proxies. Implications are drawn for prospective entrepreneurs, existing organisations, policy, and further research.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1392-1419
Number of pages28
JournalJournal of Management Studies
Volume48
Issue number6
Early online date27 Jul 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

Keywords

  • Entrepreneurship
  • regulation
  • rule of law
  • signalling
  • employment choice
  • strategy

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