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Social capital, religion and small business activity

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  • Deller, Steven C.
  • Conroy, Tessa
  • Markeson, Bjorn

Abstract

Within the theoretical framework of social capital, we explore how different religious traditions influence small business activity in U.S. counties. We motivate the analysis by emphasizing the ways in which religious organizations may facilitate social capital, a key factor in business formation and performance. We find that communities with a large concentration of religious congregations have a correspondingly higher level of small business activity. We also find important differences across religious traditions, suggesting that religion should not be treated as a monolithic dimension of social capital. In addition, by exploring different traditions, beliefs, and norms, proxied by religion, finer insights into social capital and community economic development can be gained.

Suggested Citation

  • Deller, Steven C. & Conroy, Tessa & Markeson, Bjorn, 2018. "Social capital, religion and small business activity," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 365-381.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:155:y:2018:i:c:p:365-381
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2018.09.006
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    2. Gil Avnimelech & Yaron Zelekha, 2023. "Religion and the gender gap in entrepreneurship," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 629-665, June.
    3. Dipesh Kumar Ghimire & Prakash Gautam & Shyam Kumar Karki & Jiwnath Ghimire & Isao Takagi, 2022. "Small Business and Livelihood: A Study of Pashupatinath UNESCO Heritage Site of Nepal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Christopher Boudreaux & George Clarke & Anand Jha, 2021. "Social capital and small business productivity: The mediating roles of financing and customer relationships," Papers 2104.12004, arXiv.org.
    5. Zhang, Yi & Liu, Chun, 2021. "Religion and unproductive entrepreneurship: The role of risk aversion," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
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    7. Gutierrez-Lythgoe, Antonio, 2023. "Redes y autoempleo: Evidencia con datos de Facebook [Networks and self-employment: Evidence from Facebook data]," MPRA Paper 116656, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Ampofo, Akwasi & Mabefam, Matthew Gmalifo, 2021. "Religiosity and Energy Poverty: Empirical evidence across countries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    9. Kumar, Satish & Sahoo, Saumyaranjan & Lim, Weng Marc & Dana, Léo-Paul, 2022. "Religion as a social shaping force in entrepreneurship and business: Insights from a technology-empowered systematic literature review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    10. Neha Deopa & Daniele Rinaldo, 2023. "Sacred Ecology: The Environmental Impact of African Traditional Religions," Papers 2401.13673, arXiv.org.
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