Estimating country-level social network density and supportive surroundings by simulation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to estimate country-level social network properties by reproducing plausible social network structures of each country. For this purpose, we suggest and utilize a novel simulation procedure using Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) method and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data. Specifically, we estimate two types of country-level social network properties that can be related to entrepreneurial activities, i.e. social network density and supportive surroundings in each country. For the estimation, we use a social network-related question in the GEM questionnaire – “Do you know someone personally who started a business in the past 2 years?” As a result, this study provides estimated values of the social network properties for 69 countries. In doing so, this study suggests a simulation procedure for estimating the country-level social network properties, provides estimated values of the properties that can be utilized in future studies, and proposes potential roles of the country-level social network structure as a contextual factor that can affect individuals’ entrepreneurial activities.