Sameeksha Desai

Bio: Sameeksha Desai is an academic researcher from Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The author has contributed to research in topics: Entrepreneurship & Incentive. The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 76 publications receiving 2223 citations. Previous affiliations of Sameeksha Desai include George Mason University & Indiana University.

Corruption: An Unsolved Puzzle

Abstract: Corruption is not a new problem. Even though it is considered a social ill and almost universally viewed as a problem, it remains present in many of the developing countries. Although the existence of corruption is common knowledge, people are reluctant to admit that they take and pay bribes, and therefore measuring and assessing corruption can be a challenge. In this chapter, we look at what types of corruption exist, how corruption is measured in different sources, and some of the causes that have been found to contribute to engaging in corruption. We have also examined how corruption is present in different sectors and it affects stakeholders in developing countries. With a growing concern regarding the size of government, we also examine how corruption and the size of government affect the recipients of the services, especially entrepreneurs.

Energy-based economic development: Mapping the developing country context

Abstract: Energy-based economic development (EBED) can provide economic, social and environmental benefits related to national economic development and sustainable growth activities. As both policy and research interests in responsible mechanisms for economic development grow, EBED benefits are becoming increasingly attractive to planners in both developed and developing countries. The incentives, trade-offs, and payoffs for developing countries, however, are not well documented. To help address that gap, this paper identifies the general scope and role of EBED in a developing economy context, and outlines opportunities and challenges for decision-makers.

Institutional Drivers of Informal Entrepreneurship

Abstract: There is increasing scholarly interest in informal entrepreneurship. We empirically examine how institutions interact to influence the informal entrepreneurship. Using a novel multi-source dataset we test institutional drivers of informal entrepreneurship in 28 innovation-driven countries during 2004-2011. Our results show that cognitive institutions inhibit informal entrepreneurship. Contrary to received wisdom in the literature, we find no relationship between regulatory institutions, normative institutions and the rate of informal entrepreneurship in innovation-driven countries. We find that regulatory institutions moderate the influence of cognitive institutions on informal entrepreneurship. Our study on informal entrepreneurship advances knowledge on heterogeneous entrepreneurial outcomes.

Democratic Capitalism and Philanthropy in a Global Economy

Abstract: Democratic capitalism has become the popular paradigm in the modern world, and it is spreading further through globalization. It is a model based on growth, expansion and constant innovation. However, it is accompanied by social problems which may worsen despite overall gains in wealth. In this paper, we suggest that democratic capitalist societies may benefit from the application of what has been a primarily American institution: Philanthropy. We present the Entrepreneurship-Philanthropy Cycle, which demonstrates the relationship between wealthy entrepreneurs, philanthropic contributions and economic opportunity. As a nonmarket and nonstate mechanism, philanthropy is unique in its structure and operations, and may offer the ideal approach to solving social problems. We suggest that both the internationalization of American foundations, and the growth of domestic philanthropy, can help developing countries offset social problems.

Small business and poverty: evidence from post-Soviet cities

Abstract: The relationship between small business and poverty is inadequately substantiated, despite being an important economic and social nexus. We test the direct impact of small business on poverty, and ...

Entrepreneurship, economic development and institutions

Abstract: This paper is an introduction to the special issue from the 3rd Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Research Conference held in Washington, D.C., in 2008. The paper has three objectives. First, to discuss the importance of the three stages of economic development, the factor-driven stage, the efficiency-driven stage and the innovation-driven stage. Second, to examine the empirical evidence on the relationship between stages of economic development and entrepreneurship. Third, to present a summary of the papers in the context of the theory.

The multiple faces of social entrepreneurship: A review of definitional issues based on geographical and thematic criteria

Abstract: Social entrepreneurship has recently received greater recognition from the public sector, as well as from scholars. However, the lack of a unifying paradigm in the field has lead to a proliferation of definitions. Moreover, several approaches of the phenomenon, as well as different schools of thought, have emerged in different regions of the world. At first glance, because of different conceptions of capitalism and of the government's role, there seems to be a difference between the American and the European conceptions of social entrepreneurship. The objective of this paper is to clarify the concepts of ‘social entrepreneurship’, ‘social entrepreneur’ and ‘social entrepreneurship organization’ and to examine whether there is a transatlantic divide in the way these are conceived and defined. After having justified the need for a definition, we present the different geographical perspectives. North American and European literatures on social entrepreneurship are critically analysed by means of Gartner's fo...