Entrepreneurial attitudes and the level of innovativeness of European countries

Abstract

This paper analysed the relations between entrepreneurial attitudes among the citizens of European countries and the results of economies in the field of innovativeness. Data published in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) were used to assess these relations. It was demonstrated that the citizens of countries witha higher innovativeness ratio demonstrate weaker entrepreneurial intentions (intensions to start a business within three years). Paradoxically, in more innovative countries, in spite of a stronger perception of opportunities to start a new firm, weaker intentions to start a business are also observed, which may result from greater attractiveness of remunerated employment as well as a more critical assessment of their skills and knowledge of starting a business.