Export-oriented entrepreneurship and regional economic growth

We analyse the impact of export-oriented entrepreneurship on regional economic growth using data for Spanish regions over the 2003–2013 period. We draw on economic growth, knowledge spillover and international entrepreneurship theories to assert that export-oriented entrepreneurship is important for the economic development of sub-national regions. Consistent with previous findings, we found that Spanish regions with higher levels of opportunity-driven entrepreneurial activity exhibit higher rates of economic growth. Moreover, regions with a higher percentage of the adult population engaged in export-oriented entrepreneurial activity show higher GDP growth rates. This effect also seems to be stronger as the intensity of export-oriented entrepreneurial activity increases up to a threshold level.