Religion as an Explanatory Variable for Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Religions are depositories of values. Reviewing literature from the past century, this article argues that there is considerable empirical support for the thesis that religion and related beliefs influence values and thus shape entrepreneurship. This article shows that: (1) various religions value entrepreneurship to different degrees; (2) different religions yield dissimilar patterns of entrepreneurship; (3) specialization along religious lines shapes entrepreneurship; (4) credit networks, employment networks, information networks and supply networks of co-religionists affect entrepreneurship; (5) religions provide opportunities for entrepreneurship; (6) religious beliefs may also hamper entrepreneurial spirit; and (7) religions have built-in mechanisms for the perpetuation of values. Regardless of whether a person is religious, he or she is influenced by the values propagated by religion.