Institutional quality, unemployment, economic growth and entrepreneurial activity in developed countries: a dynamic and sustainable approach

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the impact of institutional quality, economic factors and unemployment on entrepreneurial activity. The dynamic approach adopted in this study permits to evaluate the simultaneous influence of specific factors on total entrepreneurial activity. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach through a panel vector autoregression analysis was adopted to take into account possible endogeneity issues, and a short-run Granger test was used to test causality between variables to fill the theoretical and empirical gap about the joined and dynamic effect of institutional quality, economic factors and unemployment on total entrepreneurship activity as a dependent variable. Findings The use of a dynamic estimation approach demonstrates that three kinds of relative effects exist: durable and positive effects between industrial production index (IPI), stability and self-employment, a limited positive effect which exists during a predeterminant period between dimensions of institutional quality and unemployment rate (UR) and finally negative effects between IPI and UR. Research limitations/implications In general, this study identifies three main effects: negative, temporary positive and perpetual positive. This is the same conclusion for the link between self-employment rates (SER) and institutional quality, measured by six dimensions. Three of these dimensions are especially important: political stability and the absence of violence, governmental effectiveness and regulatory quality. Practical implications In light of this study’s results and contrary to the idea admitted about the negative effect of unemployment on entrepreneurial activity, it seems that a relatively positive effect exists. By relative, the author means during a determinant period. It also has to be remembered that entrepreneurial activity was appreciated by the SER according to the recommendation of many previous researchers discussed at the beginning of this paper. Based on the model, three levels of relations emerge. This permits this study to dress a hierarchical list of alternatives to promote entrepreneurial activity. Economic policymakers have to reconsider the importance of the UR as the best occasion to create firms if good institutions and economic support are provided. Good governance and stability are the most important institutional determinants with a long positive effect. This conclusion suits Glaeser and Saks (2006) as well as Ojeka et al. (2019). Social implications This research offers considerable scientific evidence to make decisions and orient decisions-makers about policies adopted to increase institutional quality, reducing unemployment and stimulate economic activity, but it is still necessary to reconsider these results for developing countries. It is hoped that future researchers enrich and reinforce the model to provide a critical pathway for successful entrepreneurship activity in this new normal. In the end, this crisis can be also treated as a good occasion to innovate and reconsider the thinking process to manage and operate in the economic world. Originality/value This study’s contribution is to help and assist economic policymakers to be aware of the relative importance of such determinants at the country level. The introduction of the relative importance of time is in agreement with the concept of entrepreneurial opportunity.