Introduction

Abstract

During the last decades, an important body of literature on entrepreneurship has arisen. The topic, however, was not new. In the history of economic thought, several authors have stressed the relevance of entrepreneur activity on economic performance. Entrepreneurs use the resources that society puts in their hands to produce more or new goods and services, thereby increasing society’s welfare. Sometimes, the authors have also focused on the effects of entrepreneurship on economic progress considering the role of technology and innovation on economic agents’ behavior. In these studies, and depending on the author’s position, positive and negative effects of entrepreneurship have been shown and measures outlined that could enhance or reduce the negative effects of that activity.