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Date Posted: 10/21/2008
October 21, 2008 – Philanthropy Journal
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While Americans believe entrepreneurism is the engine that will drive the U.S. out of its current economic slump, few are willing to start businesses themselves, a new study says.
More than seven in 10 voters says the health of economy rests on entrepreneurism, says a new survey released by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. And yet, while almost half the respondents see opportunities for new business currently, only about one in four say they would consider starting a new business within the next five years. That may be because the financial crisis is starting to hit home for many Americans. Fewer than one in 10 people believe they are not personally at risk because of the economy, the study says, and one in three say their homes, jobs and investment all are vulnerable. One in four people expect the financial meltdown to have a "very bad" or "devastating" impact on them personally, while an additional one in three say the impact will be "pretty bad." Fewer than two in 10 people believe the government is up to the task of alleviating the crisis, while more than half say small-business owners are equipped to guide the economy.
"History has repeatedly demonstrated that new companies and entrepreneurship are the way to bolster a flagging economy," says Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation.
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