Abstract:
In this paper, we study the intertemporal relations within two phases of the venture creation process based on data from administrative data sources. By distinguishing a pre- and post-period, we address two major issues: (1) we identify which factors make people wait to start a venture, and (2) we investigate the outcome of waiting on business longevity. Using survival modeling techniques, we find support for the hypothesis that regional economic conditions have a significant but complex effect on the delay of entries. Furthermore, we find that waiting is initially beneficial for self-employment duration but that this effect is not beneficial for longer periods of waiting.