Research SummaryWe evaluate the role of cultural tightness–looseness as an explanation for cross‐cultural variation in new firm formation rates. Modeling cultural tightness–looseness as an antecedent for individual entrepreneurial dispositions and informal institutions, we examine its impact on the number of new limited‐liability companies registered per 1000 people and the rate of new entrepreneurs in the working‐age population. Our findings show that cultural tightness–looseness explains 56% of the variation in new firm formation rates in a sample of 156 nations, and 71% of the variation in the rate of new entrepreneurs in the 50 US states, with greater cultural looseness corresponding to higher rates of entrepreneurship, on average. This effect is robust to various model specifications, measures, and controls for other cultural dimensions.Managerial SummaryOur study examines how cultural tightness–looseness impacts new firm formation rates across nations and US states. We find that cultural looseness, characterized by flexible social norms, significantly influences entrepreneurial activity. Specifically, it explains 56% of the variation in new firm formation rates across 156 nations and 71% of the variation in new entrepreneur rates in the 50 US states. Nations and states with looser cultures tend to have higher rates of entrepreneurship. These findings are robust across different model specifications, measures, and control variables. Managers and policymakers should consider the strength and enforcement of social norms as factors in fostering new firm formation.

中文翻译：

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为什么有些国家比其他国家更具创业精神？调查文化紧缩性-松散性与新公司形成率之间的联系


研究摘要我们评估了文化紧密性-松散性作为跨文化差异在新公司形成率中的作用。将文化紧密-松散建模为个体创业倾向和非正式机构的前因，我们研究了它对每 1000 人注册的新有限责任公司数量和工作年龄人口中新企业家率的影响。我们的研究结果表明，在 156 个国家的样本中，文化紧密性-松散性解释了新公司成立率变化的 56%，在美国 50 个州中，新创业者率变化的 71%，平均而言，文化松散程度越高，创业率越高。这种效果对各种模型规范、措施和其他文化维度的控制是稳健的。管理摘要我们的研究考察了文化紧密性-松散性如何影响各国和美国各州的新公司形成率。我们发现，以灵活的社会规范为特征的文化松散性对创业活动产生了重大影响。具体来说，它解释了 156 个国家/地区新企业成立率变化的 56% 和美国 50 个州新企业家成立率变化的 71%。文化较松散的国家和国家往往具有更高的创业率。这些发现在不同的模型规范、度量和控制变量中是稳健的。管理者和政策制定者应该将社会规范的强度和执行力视为促进新公司形成的因素。