Relationship Between Human Capital, New Venture Ideas, and Opportunity Beliefs: A Meta‐Analysis

Author: Sergio Canavati, Ph.D., et al.

Publication: Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal

Publication Date: February 14, 2021

Abstract:
How does an individual's human capital relate to the attractiveness of opportunities identified? In this study, we review the body of literature on this topic and analyze the relationships between two types of human capital—general and specific human capital, the ability to generate new venture ideas, and the attractiveness of opportunities. We find that both general human capital—primarily education and work experience—and specific human capital—industry and entrepreneurial experience—are useful for generating new venture ideas. However, only specific human capital is useful when assessing which new venture ideas can turn into attractive opportunities. We also find that the ability to generate new venture ideas is more strongly associated with the attractiveness of opportunities than either type of human capital.