Influences on Technology Entrepreneurship

Abstract

This thesis explored the contrast between the overarching category of entrepreneurship (from here on, “mainstream entrepreneurship” or ME) and the subset of technology entrepreneurship (TE) through a comparison of The Netherlands (low TE/high ME) and Japan (high TE/low ME), addressing the problem that currently no dedicated frameworks for TE exist. Five influencing variables were explored at the country level of analysis, namely economic development, technological development, institutions, education, and culture. In contrast to ME, TE benefits from better technological development and education. These influencing variables showed high values, whereas for ME they showed low values. With analysis of 44 additional countries, these results were confirmed, and economic development was also deemed important to TE. A culture high on long-term orientation and individualism (Hofstede dimensions) appeared to benefit TE. Institutions showed little difference between ME and TE. The additional analysis firmly showed that ME and TE are different and unrelated. which was confirmed by a low correlation coefficient and corresponding p-value.

This thesis shows that TE and ME are different, should be treated as such, and has identified several influencing variables that affect TE differently than ME. Thus, TE and ME can be independently stimulated by increasing the levels of the influencing variables. For governments seeking to increase their levels of TE through relevant policies, despite a traditionally non-entrepreneurial environment, it means that all is not lost, and that the levels of TE can be raised by focusing on increasing levels of education, economic environment, and technological environment. Managerial recommendations include the geographical placement of technology start-ups and the diversification of the team to improve success.