Title: Human capital and perceptual factors in the entrepreneurial decision: empirical analysis in the GEM framework

Authors: Jose Maria Gomez-Gras, Ignacio Mira-Solves, Jesus Martinez-Mateo

Addresses: Department of Economical and Financial Studies, University Miguel Hernandez of Elche, Avda de la Universidad s/n 03202 Elche, Spain. ' Department of Economical and Financial Studies, University Miguel Hernandez of Elche, Avda de la Universidad s/n 03202 Elche, Spain. ' Department of Economical and Financial Studies, University Miguel Hernandez of Elche, Avda de la Universidad s/n 03202 Elche, Spain

Abstract: This paper attempts to contribute to the understanding of the elements that influence the individual decision to involve in the act of setting up a business. In this context, we focus on the study of the factors that can better explain and predict the results of the entrepreneurial decision from an individual perspective. After justifying the value of studying |nascent entrepreneurs|, we propose a model that incorporates different elements of the human capital of individuals as well as perceptual variables related to the individual and the individual|s judgement of the surrounding socio-cultural and economic environment. For testing this model, we use a logistic regression to verify the influence that the elements chosen have on the entrepreneurial decision using data from the Survey of the Adult Population of GEM Spain. Analysis confirms the influence of elements proposed on the individual|s willingness to involve in activities of firm creation.

Keywords: entrepreneurship determinants; GEM; perceptual variables; human capital; nascent entrepreneurs; Spain; firm creation; new ventures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2010.031268

International Journal of Business Environment, 2010 Vol.3 No.1, pp.15 - 37

Published online: 27 Jan 2010 *

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