Using institutional economics as a theoretical framework, this book analyzes institutional environment conducive to entrepreneurial activity in order to enhance economic performance across countries. In particular, the main contributions of this book to the entrepreneurship literature are the following:

- Identify past and current research about the institutional context shaping entrepreneurial activity and its effect on economic growth

- Examine social progress orientation as those institutional factors that are shaping innovative entrepreneurial activity

- Explore the effect of different types of entrepreneurial activities on economic growth
- Examine how social progress orientation through opportunity-driven entrepreneurship affects economic development

- Analyze the interrelationships between institutions, entrepreneurial activity and economic development across countries

- Study how the country's institutional context influences the way in which entrepreneurial activity affects social progress

Two sides of the same coin might be observed when analyzing policy aspects of those institutions affecting entrepreneurial activity. On the one hand, effective public policy to promote entrepreneurship is predicated on understanding the underlying forces as well as the consequences and impacts of entrepreneurship. On the other hand, different endeavors to promote entrepreneurial activity might have deleterious economic effects since they could actually reduce employment in the long-term. Thus, it is crucial to understand the institutional environment in which entrepreneurs are interacting and making decisions. The comprehension of these phenomena serves to move forward the theoretical, practical and policy debate on entrepreneurship as a mechanism to achieve higher economic performance.

David Urbano is Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and ICREA-Academia Research Fellow. He is also the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship at the School of Economics and Business (UAB). David Urbano is Associate Editor of Small Business Economics , and sits on the Editorial Board of journals such as International Small Business Journal , Entrepreneurship and Regional Development , International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal , among others. As a member of the Board of Directors in the European Council of Small Business (ECSB), he is in charge of publication outlets, and cooperation with other academic organizations.His research focuses on the analysis of factors affecting entrepreneurship in different contexts, using the institutional approach as a theoretical framework, and combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies. He participates in several international research projects (e.g. GEM, PSED, GUESSS) and also regularly visits Haas School of Business (University of California Berkeley).

Sebastian Aparicio is an Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship at Durham University Business School. In addition, he is a Research Fellow at the Centre for University Entrepreneurship (CIEU-UAB-);a Junior Research Fellow in the Institute for Development Strategies at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (IDS-SPEA, Indiana University); and an External Researcher at Fundación ECSIM (Medellin, Colombia). He has participated in different research and consulting projects at UAB (e.g. GUESSS-UAB - Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students' Survey), and The World Bank, among others. Sebastian Aparicio sits on the Editorial Board of the journal Cogent Business & Management . His research focuses on the effects of entrepreneurial activity and innovation on economic growth and development under the institutional lenses.

David B. Audretsch is a Distinguished Professor and the Ameritech Chair of Economic Development in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University. He is also the Director of the Institute for Development Strategies (IDS) at SPEA,