Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development

Imitation Effect and Endogenous Entrepreneurial Development in Africa
Kouakou Thiédjé Gaudens-Omer

Abstract
This paper analyzes some conditions of the entrepreneurial development in developing countries, where a necessity-driven entrepreneurship predominates. We develop a model adapted from Bygrave and Minneti (1999) allowing us to show the driving role of psycho sociological factors and of proximity of foreign companies. Indeed, by carrying positive externalities, foreign companies can induce mimetic dynamics on the part of local entrepreneurs who are thus likely to shift from a necessity-driven entrepreneurship to an opportunity-driven entrepreneurship. In order to stimulate such an endogenous entrepreneurship, public authorities in developing countries should aim to improve the institutional conditions through macroeconomic policies for promoting a good business climate and foreign direct investment and through microeconomic policies by financial support and entrepreneurial skills reinforcement.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jsbed.v6n1a1