We compare the results from a survey of 900 entrepreneurs in China and Russia. Compared to a sample of 1,000 non-entrepreneurs, Chinese and Russian entrepreneurs have more family members and childhood friends who started their own businesses. They also have higher wealth ambitions and value work...

Social scientists studying the determinants of entrepreneurship have emphasized three distinct perspectives: the role of institutions, the role of social networks and the role of personal characteristics. We conduct a survey from five large developing and transition economies to better...