Social perception of entrepreneurship and probability to become an entrepreneur: a cross-country analysis

This study is aimed to examine the effect of social perceptions on entrepreneurial intentions. The empirical testing of a series of hypotheses regarding career, status and media perceptions is conducted based on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Adult Population Survey (APS) 2016 cross-section data across 50 countries. The analysis accounts for different dimensions that affect entrepreneurial intentions, including cognitive, regulatory and cultural as well as individual-level (age, gender, income, work status) and country-level (macroeconomic) control variables. The statistically significant evidence in favour of a positive relationship between career, status and media perceptions and entrepreneurial intentions is found in the primary sample based on 50 countries. Mixed evidence is found regarding the effect of social dimension on different entrepreneurial stages across samples of high-income and middle-income countries. Besides, this study reveals a new line of research regarding rational and irrational expectations that can be further investigated by scholars. The obtained results can potentially be utilised by policymakers, universities and entrepreneurs who can increase the level of social legitimacy of entrepreneurship through cooperation.