ncidence of Entrepreneurship in the General Population

Robert G. Wyckham William Wedley

Faculty of Business Administration Simon Fraser University

Abstract

Given the importance of entrepreneurial activity as a driver of the

economy, it is vital to know, with some accuracy, the number of
startups and shut-downs of businesses in any given period. An
examination of the many sources of data on business births and deaths
in Canada suggests major weaknesses in that information. Differences
in definitions, methodology and data bases result in a wide variation in
estimates. These data problems are exacerbated by the growth of self-
employment and the informal economy. A pilot study of the incidence
of entrepreneurship conducted in Vancouver indicates that the number
of small businesses in Canada may be quite a bit larger than official
estimates. Without accurate information governments, banks and
other institutions are not in a position to develop policy and take
actions to encourage entrepreneurship.