A cross-national study of youth entrepreneurship: The effect of family support

Abstract

This multilevel, cross-national study builds on the Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM) to examine the influence of perceived family support on young individuals’ perceptions about the desirability and feasibility of starting a business, and the moderating effect of cultural dimensions. Building upon institutional and social systems theories, this research shows family support increases the perceived desirability and feasibility of starting a business, depending upon national culture. Results find family support is more influential in countries with higher levels of power distance or lower individualism (in which social norms and culture may be less favorable to startups) and suggest family support acts as a substitution mechanism facilitating entrepreneurial behavior in these countries.