The Personal Computer and Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Investigates whether having access to a personalcomputer influences an individual's decision to become an entrepreneur.According to the central hypothesis, access to a home computer is likely tofacilitate the launch of the entrepreneurial process. This hypothesis is evaluated in light of a novel panel of data from theCurrent Population Survey (CPS) that includes information on computer ownershipand subsequent business creation over a 12-15 month period. Data from theComputer and Internet Usage Supplement (CIUS) files are also used. The data suggest that men and women who have access to a home computer aremore likely than others to start a business during the following 12-15 months.Other findings indicate that the relationship between prior access to homecomputers and entrepreneurship is stronger for women than for men. The resultsas a whole support the hypothesis that computer access makes it substantiallyeasier for nascent entrepreneurs, particularly women, to launch theirbusinesses. (SAA)

Keywords: Current Population Survey (US Bureau of Labor Statistics), Gender, Access to technology, Startup rates, Startups, Nascent entrepreneurs, Computers