Cross-Cultural Implications of Linguistic Future Time Reference and Institutional Voids on Social Entrepreneurship
Posted: 16 Jul 2020
Date Written: June 23, 2020
Abstract
This paper links linguistic relativity and institutional theories to examine whether people who speak futured languages are more likely to start social ventures. Linguistic relativity theory describes how the structure of language shapes thought. Institutional theorizing examines informal and formal institutions’ effect on individuals’ cognition and behavior, including entrepreneurial activity. Using a sample of over 180,000 individuals in 70 countries and 40 languages, we find that individuals who speak languages with strong future tense reference (FTR) – that is “futured languages” – are more likely to engage in social entrepreneurship, particularly in countries with significant institutional voids.
Keywords: Future Time Reference, Institutional Voids, Language, Linguistic Relativity, Social Entrepreneurship
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