A decade of research on the genetics of entrepreneurship: a review and view ahead

Abstract

Studies analyzing the heritability of entrepreneurship indicate that explanations for why people engage in entrepreneurship that ignore genes are incomplete. However, despite promises that were solidly backed up with ex ante power calculations, attempts to identify specific genetic variants underlying the heritable variation in entrepreneurship have until now been unsuccessful. We describe the methodological issues hampering the identification of associations between genetic variants and entrepreneurship, but we also outline why this search will eventually be successful. Nevertheless, we argue that the benefits of using these individual genetic variants for empirical research in the entrepreneurship domain are likely to be small. Instead, the use of summary indices comprising multiple genetic variants, so-called polygenic risk scores, is advocated. In doing so, we stress the caveats associated with applying population-level results to the individual level. By drawing upon the promises of "genoeconomics," we sketch how the use of genetic information may advance the field of entrepreneurship research.

The moderating impact of the genetic predisposition to smoking behaviour on the response to tobacco excise taxes

“…As such, it allows for analyses evaluating the effectiveness of policies on the individual-level (Benjamin et al, 2011; Manski, 2011). Although this does not imply that it is possible to accurately predict individual-level behavioural outcomes (Rietveld et al, 2020), from a policy perspective our findings clearly suggest that there is genetic heterogeneity in response to tobacco excise taxes. Individuals with a high genetic predisposition towards smoking respond stronger to tobacco excise taxes compared to individuals with a lower genetic predisposition.…”

Wired in? Genetic traits and entrepreneurship around the world

“…Moreover, the impact of genetic traits appears robust, pervasive, and one that trumps the effects of cultural features, demographic factors or historical conditions. These findings reconcile the two opposing views in the literature (the "nature" versus "nurture" hypotheses), suggesting that exogenous and endogenous drivers of entrepreneurship are complements rather than substitutes (Rietveld et al, 2020). They are also indicative of the limitations in terms of scope for policy interventions meant to spur new business activities solely through formal institutional mechanisms (Aparicio, Urbano and Audretsch, 2016).…”

“…First, we advance the entrepreneurship research by generalizing the micro-foundations of entrepreneurial activities to include genetic factors. We do so by providing robust evidence that links genetic traits to entrepreneurship in a largen cross-country context that complements recent scholarly work in this vein (Acs and Lappi, 2019) and ongoing conversations in the field (Rietveld, Slob, and Thurik, 2020).…”

Emotional skills for entrepreneurial success: the promise of entrepreneurship education and policy

“…The entrepreneurial difference may be, at least partially, attributable to the underlying genetic makeup of entrepreneurs (Koellinger et al, 2010). Rietveld, (2020) suggest that the search for a unique genetic variant distinguishing entrepreneur remains elusive, but still promising. Koellinger et al (2010) suggest that the answer to the most fundamental question in the field of entrepreneurship as to why some people choose to become entrepreneurs, while others do not, lies in the genetic makeup.…”