Problems in Statistics and Research Methods

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GEM   of

A GEM OF A STUDY

Yoshiko M. Moss

June 29, 2004

QNT 530

Problems in Statistics and Research Methods

Michael Thomas


Introduction

        GEM was established at the end of 1997 as a joint initiative by scholars in entrepreneurship from Babson College (U.S.) and the London Business School (UK).  The project was designed to provide a framework for conducting long-range studies, multinational in scope, which would involve scholars in entrepreneurship from leading research institutions located in advanced countries.  During the first year of the project, the participants had planned to investigate and ascertain the project’s feasibility among the G-7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the U.S.) and Denmark, Finland, and Israel.  

        The research addresses three core questions:  1.  Does the level of entrepreneurial activity vary between countries, and if so, to what extent?  2. What makes a country entrepreneurial?  3.  Does the level of entrepreneurial activity affect a country’s rate of national economic growth?  In the context of the research, entrepreneurship is defined as “Any attempt at new business or new venture creation, such as self-employment, a new business organization, or expansion of an existing business, by an individual, a team of individual, or an established business.”

Methodology

        Data was gathered by ten research team working together in each of the participating countries, organized by the project coordinators.  Three types of sources were used;

1.        Adult population surveys were conducted among representative samples of 1,000 interviewees in each of the ten countries.  The survey was designed to examine the prevalence of entrepreneurial activity in each country and the population’s attitude toward entrepreneurship.  

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2.        In-dept interviews were conducted in each country with 40 key informants, leaders in the nine areas constituting the entrepreneurial framework conditions, in each national economy.

3.        Macro-economic data was gathered from national and international sources.

Researchers at the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (Babson College) and the London Business School revealed these propositions based on a study designed to prove a casual relationship between factors that affect entrepreneurial opportunities and potential, to business dynamics and national economic growth and well-being.

Summary of the Finings

This research suggested the following concepts;

  • Promoting entrepreneurship, especially outside the most active age group ...

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