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Entrepreneurship

Edward P. Lazear1,2

1 Hoover Institution · 2 Stanford University

Journal of Labor Economics 2005

The theory below is that entrepreneurs must be jacks-of-all-trades who need not excel in any one skill but are competent in many. A model of the choice to become an entrepreneur is presented. The primary implication is that individuals with balanced skills are more likely than others to become entrepreneurs. Using data on Stanford alumni, the predictions are tested and found to hold. Those who have varied work and educational backgrounds are much more likely to start their own businesses than those who have focused on one role at work or concentrated in one subject at school.

DOI
10.1086/491605
Volume
23 (4)
Pages
649-680
Language
en
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Sources
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