The impact of media on entrepreneurship participation: a cross-country panel data analysis

Purpose Unlike the previous studies that examined the direct relationship between media attention on entrepreneurship (MAE) and entrepreneurship participation, this paper aims to examine the mediated link through entrepreneurial intention. Design/methodology/approach The cognitive theory of media provides the foundation for predictions that primary outcome of MAE is the entrepreneurial intention which in turn affects the different types of entrepreneurship participation (early-stage startup activities, new product development [NPD] activities and informal investment activities). The test of the hypothesized model relies on panel data for 2010–2015 on 40 developing and developed countries taken from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report of 2015. Findings MAE has an indirect effect on two types of entrepreneurship participation (early-stage startup activities and informal investment activities) via entrepreneurial intention, whereas there is no direct or indirect effect of MAE on NPD activities. The findings also suggest when the entrepreneurial intention is added as a mediator in the model; the direct effect of MAE on early-stage entrepreneurial activities becomes insignificant. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in its nature which established the relationship between MAE and entrepreneurial intention. In addition, this study also explained the mediation mechanism between the relationship of MAE and entrepreneurship participation by using the panel data.