This important book enhances understanding of entrepreneurial dynamics, providing the first analysis of changes in US entrepreneurial activity. It examines adult participation in new firm creation and differences in regional firm creation activity.

Entrepreneurship is among the most vibrant and important parts of the US economy. This book explores entrepreneurial dynamics, providing the first analysis of recent trends in US entrepreneurial activity. Based on the unprecedented Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics, it examines participation in new firm creation and differences in regional firm creation activity. Shedding light on the importance of new firms for job growth, productivity enhancements, innovation, and routes for social mobility, the author tracks the success or failure of entrepreneurs, including comparisons of different groups, such as women and minorities, along with different countries. All sectors of the population are making significant contributions. These and other significant implications for practitioners, educators and policy makers are discussed.

A current, comprehensive overview of entrepreneuial activity in the United States Unique source of data and analysis giving insight to contributions, issues, and policy implications Future oriented recommendations drawn from analysis

Autorentext
Paul D. Reynolds is Professor in the Department of Management and International Business at Florida International University. He is the recipient of the 2004 International Award for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Research provided by Swedish Foundation for Small Business Research and the Swedish Business Development Agency (the "Swedish Prize"). Dr. Reynolds was part of the team that created the Entrepreneurial Research Consortium (ERC) and has served as the Coordinating Principal Investigator through the life of the initial Panel Study of EntrepreneurialDynamics (PSED I) project, 1995-2003. He is Co-Principal Investigator of the replication of this project, PSED II, to take place from 2004 to 2009. He served as the Coordinating Principal Investigator of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor [GEM] program since its inception in 1998 until 2004, serving as the principal author of five consecutive global assessments. Dr. Reynolds has taught at London Business School, University of Pennsylvania, and INSEAD, and held endowed chairs in Entrepreneurship at both Marquette University and Babson College.

Inhalt
Why Care?.- What Is Entrepreneurship and How Do You Find It?.- How Much and When?.- Comparisons across Space.- Individuals: Participation in the Business Life Course.- What Happens in the Start-up Process?.- Comparisons across the Firm Life Course.- Start-up Funding: Expectations, Informal Support, and Accredited Investors.- Comparisons across Space: United States and the World.- Overview and Commentary.