Does social desirability of entrepreneurship matter for early-stage entrepreneurs’ internationalization? The moderating role of economic freedom

Based on an institutional perspective, this study examines the influence of the social desirability of entrepreneurship on early-stage entrepreneurs’ internationalization and the moderating role of home country economic freedom. Using data from 45,454 early-stage entrepreneurs in 48 countries for the period 2005–2016, we find that the social desirability of entrepreneurship negatively affects early-stage entrepreneurs’ internationalization, and that economic freedom positively moderates this relationship. The study contributes to the literature by showing how the home country institutional context affects the level of early-stage entrepreneurs’ internationalization across countries.