A business plan competition is conducted to test whether survey instruments or panel judges are able to identify the fastest growing firms. Participants submitted six-to eight-page business plans and defended them before a three-or four-judge panel. Applicants are surveyed shortly after they...

Drawing on various theoretical and methodological approaches, many scholars have over the years investigated the factors underlying economic performance. Yet, findings are often contradictory and inconclusive. The paper sheds light on a number of unsettled questions concerning economic...