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Grit and self-employment: a multi-country study

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  • Marcus T. Wolfe

    (Ball State University)

  • Pankaj C. Patel

    (Villanova University)

Abstract

Blending the literatures on grit and self-employment, we propose the role of grit in separating the self-employed from the employed. Based on a sample of 13,210 respondents from nine countries, our results indicate that not only is grit related to self-employment, but also grit is more strongly related to self-employment for risk-takers, females, and younger individuals. The findings are robust, controlling for several individual characteristics and alternate specifications, and have implications for the broader literature on self-employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcus T. Wolfe & Pankaj C. Patel, 2016. "Grit and self-employment: a multi-country study," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 853-874, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:47:y:2016:i:4:d:10.1007_s11187-016-9737-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-016-9737-6
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    3. Patel, Pankaj C. & Wolfe, Marcus T. & Bailey, Ryan C., 2023. "You take after your father: Paternal grit and young adult self-employment," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 19(C).

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