Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth: An Obvious Conjunction?

This paper consists of an introductory survey of two fundamental questions regarding the link between entrepreneurship and economic growth. The first one deals with the endogenous relationship between entrepreneurship and growth. In particular, we suggest that, while more entrepreneurship could mean more economic growth, economic growth in turn could affect the individual arbitrage between different professional occupations (including entrepreneurship) and expected payoffs. The second question is concerned with the types of activities to which the individual directs his talents. We distinguish between entrepreneurship and rent-seeking. The impact on economic growth is assessed in static and dynamic frameworks.entrepreneurship, economic growth, rent-seeking

Cross-sectoral effects of retailing firm demographies

With regard to the interrelationship between firm births and deaths, Johnson & Parker (1994, 1996) have summarized the various causality relationships into three different effects: what they call the Multiplier, the Competition and the Marshall effects. In a recent paper, Dejardin (2001) has built on these earlier contributions and has suggested an enlarged analytical framework by introducing and discussing (inter)sectoral and spatial dimensions. Multiplier and Competition effects were reassessed according to the degree of sectoral disaggregation and to Hicks & Allen (1934) complementarity between economic activities. We suggested that the Competition (Multiplier) effect should overcome more probably the Multiplier (Competition) effect since analyses and empirical studies are focused on very disaggregated (aggregated) sectoral demographic events. Preliminary spatial econometric results obtained for Belgian retailing industries confirmed the relevance of an (inter)sectoral and spatial setting for research in the interrelationship between firm births and deaths. Estimates relate to 16 retailing industries and their aggregate. However, this previous research encounters various limitations. So, from a theoretical point of view, it appears that arguments already exposed could be more explicit, as we referred to general analytical framework such as Hicks & Allen notion of complementary goods or spatial oligopolistic models that were only very briefly discussed. From an empirical point of view, data were exploited through the estimations of an econometric model which specification may reveal heavy without meaning important gains in terms of econometric accuracy or explanatory efficiency. The aims of this new paper are mainly to respond to these limitations and to give a more emphatic treatment of cross-sectoral effects. Concerning this last and more specific purpose, we test different sectoral matchings (or aggregations) and interpret the new econometric results that are obtained through this more flexible and a priori less defined statistical treatment. References DEJARDIN, M. (2001), "Firm demography in a sectoral and spatial setting", paper presented at the Third Congress on Proximity 'New Growth and Territories', Paris, December 13-14. JOHNSON, P. & S. PARKER (1994), "The interrelationships between births and deaths", Small Business Economics, 6, 283-290. JOHNSON, P. & S. PARKER (1996), "Spatial variations in the determinants and effects of firm births and deaths", Regional Studies, 30, 7, 679-688. HICKS, J. & R. ALLEN (1934, "A reconsideration of the theory of value, parts I and II", Economica, N.S., February, pp. 52-76 and May, pp. 196-219.

Entrepreneurship and Rent-Seeking Behavior

In this chapter, we propose a primer of the treatment that has received in the economic literature the problematic of entrepreneurship and rent-seeking behavior. It comprises the introduction of employed concepts, the discussion of the allocation of entrepreneurs between different types of economic projects, namely between innovative entrepreneurship and rent-seeking, as well as the explicative factors of the allocation. Interactions between entrepreneurship, rent-seeking and growth are considered (also for a reference situation departing from the first best). Some policy implications are finally briefly evoked.Entrepreneurship; Rent-seeking; Economic development

Entry thresholds and actual entry and exit in local markets

Bresnahan and Reiss (1991) derive entry thresholds (equilibrium numbers of firms) for local markets but do not investigate actual entry and exit flows. This paper investigates for thirteen Belgian retail and service industries whether markets with actual numbers of firms higher (lower) than the thresholds display exit (entry) in subsequent periods.industrial organization ;

Firm Entry and Exit in Local Markets: Market Pull and Unemployment Push

Firm entry and exit flows in the retailing and consumer services may be viewed as market equilibrating processes. Local markets with considerable market room and high unemployment ought to be characterized by high subsequent entry rates and low exit rates. However, lack of entrepreneurial alertness may inhibit this. We examine the relationship and obtain empirical results for a range of selected industries in 563 Belgian municipalities. We show that, over a three-year period, (net) entry is positively affected by the presence of local 'market room' and also by future market pull. We find 'unemployment push' effect on entry in easy-to-enter industries, but also a significant effect of unemployment on exit.Entrepreneurship; Entry; Exit; Entrepreneurship; Unemployment

Does the regional dimension matter as regards finance and entrepreneurship?

This article investigates the interrelationships between finance and entrepreneurship by exploring regional discrepancies in France. The focus is (1) on regional differences in financial relationships, (2) on the way these relations influence financial constraints on new firms and (3) on the complementary/substitutable effects between funds. No path of exclusion is identified. Rather, firms that are self-constraining or suffer from a weak credit rationing are the ones that later on develop intensive relationships with banks. Substitution exists in almost all the French regions. Results suggest the departure point of an original pecking order theory according to the entrepreneurial intensity of regions.financial constraints, credit rationing, financial relationships, new firms, regional development, regional disparities

Financial Constraints on New Firms:Looking for Regional Disparities

Financial constraints affecting new firms are some of the factors most cited forimpeding entrepreneurial dynamics from flourishing. This article introduces the problem ofregional patterns of financial constraints. The research is conducted with regard to the Frenchregions and the new French firms being tracked at the firm level. It refers to entrepreneurialprojects that are concretized in new firms. General entrepreneurial intentions in the Frenchpopulation that are aborted due to financial constraints are not reported. The point is ofimportance as the firm financing conditions are considered. First, an assessment of theregional banking activity leads to the conclusion of a relatively homogeneous situation, theactivity in the core-region Île-de-France appearing however more contrasted. Second, thefinancial constraints affecting new firms are distinguished according to a four-case typologyof credit rationing. It appears, inter alia, that a majority of firms is not facing credit rationing,but also that a non-negligible share is “self-constrained”. The classification is, third andfinally, differentiated according to the regions. Despite the relatively homogeneous bankingsupply, some differences may still be at work. The explanations are hypothetical at this stage butevidence suggests that the regional dimension should definitely deserve further attention.Financial constraints; Credit rationing; New Firms; Regional Disparities

Compétitivité structurelle

L'article est à paraître dans la revue Reflets et perspectives de la vie économique. Il introduit le numéro consacré au thème de la compétitivité structurelle (RPVE, Tome XLV, n°1, 2006). La notion de compétitivité structurelle y est d'abord distinguée de manière schématique de la notion de compétitivité en prix. Vient ensuite un aperçu des contributions. L'article se conclut en se faisant très brièvement l'écho de l'actualité sociopolitique belge en matière de compétitivité.compétitivité, compétitivité structurelle, compétitivité en prix

La création d'entreprises et ses rapports au territoire

La problématique de la création d'entreprises et ses rapports au territoire intéresse l'économie régionale depuis plus de vingt ans. Un argumentaire explicatif s'est progressivement construit, sollicitant l'apport de l'économie du travail, de l'économie industrielle et de l'économie spatiale. De nombreuses hypothèses ont aussi été émises quant à l'effet de telle ou telle ressource prenant part à la différenciation des territoires. L'article propose une synthèse de l'argumentaire et questionne sa capacité à rendre compte des phénomènes appréciés dans leur dynamique. Quelques idées sont avancées pour aller dans ce sens.création d'entreprises; entrepreneuriat; territoire