Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (Gem)-Danish National Executive Report-2000

The findings of the 2000 Danish GEM report show anoverview of both Danish entrepreneurial activity and an internationalcomparison, reviewing Denmark's position in relation to the other 20 countriesparticipating in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research project in2000. Specific results for Denmark include the following: the nation ranks inthe middle level for entrepreneurial activity (1 of every 33 adults iscurrently starting a business), and high in levels of new business survival(about 70 of every 100 new firms are expected to survive the initial three-yearperiod). Three investigation methods are used in the series of national GEM studies:an adult population survey; interviews with entrepreneurship experts in thatcountry; and selected national and demographic data.The GEM modelexamines general framework conditions for economic growth and nineentrepreneurial framework conditions – financial support, government policy,government programs, education and training, research and development transfer,commercial and professional infrastructure, market openness, access to physicalinfrastructure and cultural and social norms. Among the more specific findings: One in 41 Danish men are theowners/managers of surviving firms. In terms of survival, women entrepreneursin Denmark have a higher success rate.Most firms are started and operatedby men, with peak entrepreneurial activity occurring between 24 and 44 years ofage. Financial support is highly associated with the level of entrepreneurialactivity; education is an important factor in the development ofentrepreneurship; and government policies do not adequately promoteentrepreneurship. Furthermore, the findings show that the transfer of researchand technology is inefficient and unevenly distributed among firms in Denmark(the gap between the activities of researchers and the business world isconsidered too large). At the same time, Denmark's investment in information technology isincreasing opportunities for entrepreneurs. Experts consider that the Danishpopulation's attitudes toward entrepreneurship are changing, with new areas ofentrepreneurship—such as IT and biotechnology—being granted higher importance.The report concludes with a number of policy principles and specific policyrecommendations regarding issues of finance, government policy, education andtraining, research and development transfer, and publicly fundedprograms. (CBS)