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Higher education experiences and new venture performance

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  • Broström, Anders

    (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology)

  • Baltzopoulos, Apostolos

    (Swedish Competition Authority)

Abstract

Human capital theory suggests that higher education, as a means of capability creation and of ability screening, is positively associated with individuals’ success as entrepreneurs. This paper argues that social capital perspectives, in particular the theory of local embeddedness and team formation theory, complement human capital theory in explaining the relationship between higher education attainment and entrepreneurial success. However, human and social capital perspectives apply to different domains. While the former is appropriate for knowledge-based entrepreneurship, the latter is primarily valid in contexts where specialized analytical knowledge plays a less accentuated role. These propositions are supported by an investigation of survival and growth of entrepreneurial ventures in Sweden.

Suggested Citation

  • Broström, Anders & Baltzopoulos, Apostolos, 2013. "Higher education experiences and new venture performance," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 321, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0321
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Higher education; entrepreneurship; universities; entrepreneurial performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General

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