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Entrepreneurial Reluctance: Talent and Firm Creation in China

Author

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  • Bai, Chong-En
  • Li, Hongbin
  • Jia, Ruixue
  • Wang, Xin

Abstract

The theoretical literature has long noted that talent can be used in both the entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial sectors, and its allocation depends on the reward restructure. We test these hypotheses by linking administrative college admissions data for 1.8 million individuals with the universe of firm registration records in China. Within a college, we find that individuals with higher college entrance exam scores -- the most important measure of talent in this context -- are less likely to create firms, but, when they do, their firms are more successful than those of their lower-score counterparts. Additional survey data suggest that higher-score individuals enjoy higher wages and are more likely to join the state sector. Moreover, the score-to-firm creation relationship varies greatly across industry, according to the size of the state sector. These findings suggest that the score is positively associated with both entrepreneurial ability and wage-job ability but higher-score individuals are attracted away by wage jobs, particularly those of the state sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Bai, Chong-En & Li, Hongbin & Jia, Ruixue & Wang, Xin, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Reluctance: Talent and Firm Creation in China," CEPR Discussion Papers 16185, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16185
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    Cited by:

    1. Chuantao Cui & Leona Shao-Zhi Li, 2024. "More but not better: Career incentives of local leaders and entrepreneurial entry in China," Working Papers 202417, University of Macau, Faculty of Business Administration.
    2. Li, Zhaohua & Pang, Suqin & Zhu, Zhiyun, 2024. "The impact of pilot free trade zones on entrepreneurship: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Han, Linsong & Li, Xun & Xu, Gang, 2022. "Anti-corruption and poverty alleviation: Evidence from China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 150-172.
    4. Huang, Zhuo & Tao, Yunqing & Zhang, Qidi & Ye, Yongwei, 2023. "The road to entrepreneurship: The effect of China's broadband infrastructure construction," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1831-1847.
    5. Cui, Chuantao & Li, Leona Shao-Zhi, 2023. "Trade policy uncertainty and new firm entry: Evidence from China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human capital; Allocation of talent; Firm entry and exit; Firm success;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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