Attributes of local government managers – what matters in local entrepreneurship context?

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to explore how education and professional experience of local government (LG) managers corresponds with entrepreneurship development and local development processes in local administration units (LAU). Approach/Methodology/Design: In research, that is representative for Poland, authors surveyed 477 LG managers (enabling to achieve 3,9% error rate with 95% level of confidence) and correlated the data on their education and experience with respected local entrepreneurship metrics to conclude on correspondence of investigated phenomena. Findings: While endogenous local development theories indicate LGs and their attributes as intervening variable in entrepreneurship stimulation and local development process, local entrepreneurship metrics need to be taken into account to indicate their relevance for entrepreneurship environment and entrepreneurial ecosystems at local level. Practical Implications: Education level of local government managers might be perceived as a mediating variable between quasi-independent local resource endowment and dependent entrepreneurial activity in local administrative units. Originality/Value: Presented results extend perspective on local entrepreneurship ecosystem by outlining the role of trainings and continued education of local government managers in business activity creation.