Entrepreneurship, Frictions, and Wealth

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2006
Volume: 114
Issue: 5
Pages: 835-870

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

4.036 = (α=2.02 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper constructs and calibrates a parsimonious model of occupational choice that allows for entrepreneurial entry, exit, and investment decisions in the presence of borrowing constraints. The model fits very well a number of empirical observations, including the observed wealth distribution for entrepreneurs and workers. At the aggregate level, more restrictive borrowing constraints generate less wealth concentration and reduce average firm size, aggregate capital, and the fraction of entrepreneurs. Voluntary bequests allow some high-ability workers to establish or enlarge an entrepreneurial activity. With accidental bequests only, there would be fewer very large firms and less aggregate capital and wealth concentration.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:v:114:y:2006:i:5:p:835-870
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25