Small Business Economics

, Volume 38, Issue 3, pp 271–281 | Cite as

Non-profit organizations, entrepreneurship, social capital and economic growth

  • Sahar Bahmani
  • Miguel-Ángel Galindo
  • María Teresa Méndez
Article
First Online:
Accepted:

Abstract

Traditional economic growth literature focuses mainly on the neoclassical approach. According to this view, firms try to maximize their benefits so that there is no place for non-profit organizations (NPOs). However, the activity of NPOs has a higher relevance in society, and it is necessary to analyze its effects on economic growth. These effects are not direct, but occur through other variables that directly promote economic growth, such as entrepreneurship activity and human capital, and through the improvement of education. We engage in an empirical analysis of these issues using data from 11 countries.

Keywords

Non-profit organizations Entrepreneurship Social capital Economic growth Schumpeter 

JEL Classifications

L31 O43 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Sahar Bahmani
    • 1
  • Miguel-Ángel Galindo
    • 2
  • María Teresa Méndez
    • 3
  1. 1.Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboroUSA
  2. 2.University of CastillaLa ManchaSpain
  3. 3.University Complutense de MadridMadridSpain

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