Studying the way legal and regulatory policymaking affect small businesses and entrepreneurship
RAND's research into entrepreneurship considers how it can address critical social problems and the role that public policy plays in fostering or impeding innovation through entrepreneurship. Our work addresses these issues in several policy areas: health care, civil justice, energy and criminal justice. In addition, RAND research is focusing on the role of technology transfer and commercialization in innovation and the utilization of small businesses in U.S. government contracting.
To enhance the understanding of the role of local government in entrepreneurial ecosystems, RAND researchers reviewed available resources and interviewed local officials from six selected cities from February to April 2022. This research resulted in a description of four key roles local governments play in establishing and supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems.
This brief presents findings and recommendations to guide refinements to Dog Tag Inc.'s entrepreneurial fellowship program, which helps veterans, their spouses, and their caregivers prepare for careers in the civilian workforce.
Dog Tag Inc. is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help veterans, their spouses, and those who serve as their caregivers reintegrate into civilian life, focusing on civilian entrepreneurial and employment opportunities. This report describes research to help Dog Tag Inc. better understand how its fellowship program shapes the careers and life trajectories of its alumni.
Technology-enabled platforms and services have contributed to increased rates of entrepreneurship in the United States. However, concentration in the online marketplace has also increased, affecting entrepreneurs' costs and access to both customers and a level playing field. Systematic monitoring of the trajectories and experiences of entrepreneurs will be needed to ensure that entrepreneurship remains a pathway to financial success.
Inequities in wealth, access to capital, and support networks contribute to significant disparities in entrepreneurship start-up and success for women and racial and ethnic minorities relative to White men. Policies to rectify these inequities could improve wealth accumulation among these groups and revitalize the communities around their businesses, promote equality of opportunity, and boost economic growth.
This research brief addresses a new estimate of how many U.S. small businesses have owners with criminal history records.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has provided funds to small businesses to ease the economic effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, the PPP did not initially disburse funds to companies owned by individuals with felony backgrounds. In this report, researchers estimate how many small businesses have owners with criminal history records and how many businesses were potentially affected by PPP restrictions.
This Perspective describes recent trends in entrepreneurial activity in the United States, such as the formation of new businesses and their share of job creation. The trends show that entrepreneurial activity is declining and that the United States lags many other developed countries. The authors highlight the challenges and opportunities that new and existing small businesses face as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
