Does religion influence entrepreneurial behaviour?

Abstract

Religion cannot be ignored in assessing the range of cultural and institutional influences that impact on entrepreneurial activity. This article integrates key themes from sociology of religion in the context of emerging ideas about religion and entrepreneurship in order to highlight key research questions. New institutional theory is discussed as a potentially useful lens for viewing the range of means through which religious expression and institutions might support entrepreneurship. A macro-level empirical investigation of societal indicators of religious affiliation and regulation of religion alongside Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data highlights particular data correlations and mediating influences. A significant association between entrepreneurial activity evangelical/Pentecostal Christian religious affiliation is found; along with evidence that the impact of religion on entrepreneurship is mediated through pluralism and regulation. In discussing these findings further the paper proposes a more integrated conceptual framework for understanding the link between religious drivers and entrepreneurship, alongside institutional mediation. It is hoped that this might for the basis for further research, focusing on individual experience rather than aggregate associations and exploring in further the depth the mediating impact of institutional arrangements.

Planned Behavior and Religious Beliefs as Antecedents to Entrepreneurial Intention: A Study With University Students

“…Entrepreneurial activity is influenced by cultural and institutional factors, such as religion (Henley, 2017), which can affect individual characteristics, such as work ethic, honesty, economics, charity, and trust. Given the appreciation of these attributes, religiosity can encourage investment and economic growth (McCleary & Barro, 2006).…”

Religiosity and Entrepreneurial Intentions in Nigeria

“…Although at the individual level, parental and other role models act as the driving force of specific behaviors, as it encompass a wide range of perspectives on ethical behaviour, corporate responsibility, environmental ethics and sustainability (Tracey, 2012), religion which identities are socially constructed encompassing broader cultural and social considerations which cannot confine to the individual (Beckford, 2003) is more likely to both intrinsically and extrinsically frame the behavior of individuals towards entrepreneurship. Religion may not necessarily explicitly promote or inhibit entrepreneurial activity, but instead may propagate particular cultural value systems in particular societal contexts, that in turn frame attitudes towards entrepreneurship (Henley, 2016). Since the Adherence to religion and its practices usually expose followers to new behavioural pattern which alters all their lifestyle in its ramifications (Nikolova and Simroth, 2013), the emergence of specific religious activities which places strong emphasis on building behavioral norms and on shared but distinct experience, is likely to have a critical role in stimulating and influencing entrepreneurial activities (Dodd and Gotsis, 2007).…”

Role of Spiritual Intelligence in Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy With Mediatin of Strategic Thinking

“…There are six dimensions in this concept, 1) developing new products and market opportunities, 2) building an innovative environment, 3) initiating investor relationships, 4) defining core purpose, 5) coping with unexpected challenges, and 6) developing critical human resources (4). Spiritual intelligence is seemingly one of the social and cultural factors that can play a peculiar role in building entrepreneurial selfefficacy (5)(6)(7)(8). The role of this emerging organizational phenomenon in entrepreneurship is being studied by researchers (9-10).…”