Comparative entrepreneurship factors between North Mediterranean and North African Countries: A regression tree analysis

Abstract The aim of this paper is to examine differences in entrepreneurship attitudes between Northern African countries and Northern Mediterranean (Southern European) countries using CHAID regression trees. While entrepreneurship is a multifaceted phenomenon with different meanings, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) measures and reports entrepreneurship as a new business activity with survey data for ages of 18–64 for many countries in the world. This paper studies business startups and total entrepreneurial activity between North and South Mediterranean countries. Asymmetries are found in the predictor importance of skills, knowing an entrepreneur, perceived opportunities and fear of failure. We also find gender does make a difference in entrepreneurial activities, especially for females in North Africa, where not knowing someone who started a business and not having the skill set are crucial setbacks.