Context Matters: Institutions and Entrepreneurship

TLDR: In this paper, the authors explore the relevant literature from institutional economics and entrepreneurial studies, focusing on the important link between the two and discuss the implications for future research on the topic.

Abstract: This survey explores the important connection between institutions and entrepreneurship. Institutions consist of the formal and informal “rules of the game.” Entrepreneurs act within a context determined by these rules. The rules of the game create payoffs that make certain entrepreneurial opportunities more attractive than others. We explore the relevant literature from institutional economics and entrepreneurial studies, focusing on the important link between the two. Particular emphasis is placed on entrepreneurship within several different institutional settings — private for-profit, private nonprofit, and political — as well as the impact of entrepreneurship on institutions. We conclude by discussing the implications for future research on the topic. * We would like to thank the editors and an anonymous referee for detailed comments and suggestions. We would also like to thank Zac Rolnik for his patience and assistance throughout the process of preparing and revising this survey. Earlier versions of this survey were presented at the Mason Entrepreneurship Research Conference (MERC) Annual Conference, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, March 28, 2008 and at the IHS Social Change Workshop, Brown University, Providence, RI, June 23, 2008. We would like to thank the participants for their comments and suggestions. Full text available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/0300000018