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An Estimated Structural Model of Entrepreneurial Behavior

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  • John Bailey Jones
  • Sangeeta Pratap

Abstract

Using a rich panel of owner-operated New York dairy farms, we provide new evidence on entrepreneurial behavior. We formulate a dynamic model of farms facing uninsured risks and financial constraints. Farmers derive nonpecuniary benefits from operating their businesses. We estimate the model via simulated minimum distance, matching both production and financial data. We find that financial factors and nonpecuniary benefits are of first-order importance. Collateral constraints and liquidity restrictions inhibit borrowing and the accumulation of capital. The nonpecuniary benefits to farming are large and keep small, low-productivity farms in business. Although farmers are risk averse, eliminating uninsured risk has only modest effects on capital and output.

Suggested Citation

  • John Bailey Jones & Sangeeta Pratap, 2017. "An Estimated Structural Model of Entrepreneurial Behavior," Working Paper 17-7, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedrwp:17-07
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    Cited by:

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    2. Brett Hollenbeck & Renato Zaterka Giroldo, 2022. "Winning Big: Scale and Success in Retail Entrepreneurship," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 41(2), pages 271-293, March.
    3. Kame Babilla, Thierry U., 2023. "Digital innovation and financial access for small and medium-sized enterprises in a currency union," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    4. Michele Dell'Era & Luca David Opromolla & Luís Santos‐Pinto, 2023. "Can optimism solve the entrepreneurial earnings puzzle?," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 125(1), pages 139-169, January.
    5. Jinglin Jiang & Hongyu Xiang, 2024. "Leadership and Entrepreneurship: Evidence from a Chinese Household Survey," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 14(1), pages 1-2.
    6. Catherine, Sylvain, 2022. "Keeping options open: What motivates entrepreneurs?," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(1), pages 1-21.
    7. Richard Audoly, 2024. "Self-Employment and Labor Market Risks," Staff Reports 1085, Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurs; financial constraints;

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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