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A GEM of A Study
1. What are the independent and dependent variables in this study?
In the GEM study, the independent variables include different entrepreneurial framework
conditions like government policies, cultural attitudes, and the access to the financial resources.
These all influence the level of entrepreneurial activity in a nation. For example, friendlier
government regulations and favorable country culture attitude have been found to increase
entrepreneurial activities that allow for a culture to create and develop business (Gomes et al.,
2022).
In contrast, the dependent variable of this research is the level of entrepreneurial activity
itself. This can be measured through various tools that include rates of startup businesses and
actual job creation. By understanding the interplay of those independent and dependent variables
it can be critical in defining how these differing conditions either foster or hurt entrepreneurship
(Malhotra, 2010).
This relationship between the two incorporates the biblical principle from Proverbs 16:3:
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established" (New International Version,
1984). It brings attention to the foundational elements that play into realizing entrepreneurial
success, reinforcing the proposition that conditions supporting entrepreneurship must have
formed the foundation for developing a prosperous business environment.
2. What are some of the intervening, extraneous, and moderating variables that the
study attempted to control with its 10-nation design?
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GEM OF A STUDY
The study was trying to reveal a control for a number of intervening variables that could
affect the relationship between independent and dependent variables. For example, the economic
climate of a country mediates to a great degree how government policies and cultural attitudes
influence the entrepreneurial activity (Gomes et al., 2022).
Extraneous variables would also involve political stability and market maturity, which may
affect the outcome but are not the focal points of interest. Added to that are moderating variables,
like demographics including age and educational level, which can affect the intensity or strength
of the relationship between independent and dependent variables. According to Zikmund et al.
(2013) and Gabor (2018), this becomes an essential part to control these variables so that the
results would be representative of the entrepreneurial landscape.
Reading James 1:5 states that if a tough decision has to be made wisdom is required. This
type of wisdom should be considered as the one of the many factors that a researcher needs to
consider when conducting research (New King James Version, 1982)
3. Can you do a causal study without controlling intervening, extraneous, and
moderating variables?
No, a casual study cannot be conducted in an informal manner without the control of
intervening, extraneous, and moderating variables. Their lack of control may confound the
results obtained to an extent that valid cause-and-effect relations cannot easily be established.
According to Schindler (2022), it is only rigorous research designs that would consider such
factors for the derivation of reliable conclusions.
In the absence of such controls, a researcher exposes himself/herself to the risk of incorrect
attribution of any change in the dependent variable to the independent variable.
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Matthew 7:24-27 teaches that the core of any relationship or situation has to be upon a solid
foundation: "Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to
a wise man who built his house on the rock" (New King James Version, 1982) which translates
into a solid research design one needs to establish in drawing valid conclusions.
4. What is the impact on study results of using national experts (key informants) to
identify and weigh entrepreneurial framework conditions?
National experts' engagement might enrich the study by highlighting specific insights that
will show conditions of entrepreneurship in every economy that may not be realized from purely
quantitative data. The experts give views on certain factors that determine development in their
country, which are hard to comprehend from a general viewpoint. According to Gabor (2018),
dependence on the opinions of experts may introduce bias since their judgment is likely colored
by personal or professional agendas. This is one potential source of bias, especially during the
interpretation of the study findings, since this may affect the reliability of the results (Gomes et
al., 2022).
Gomes et al. (2022) stress triangulation between expert opinion and quantitative data as
necessary in trying to reduce bias.
Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of
counselors, there is safety," (New King James Version, 1982). The thing this scripture brings up
is that, yes, there is indeed a need for many kinds of diverse inputs on a certain matter. However,
there is still a need to be caution over biases.
5. Can you do a causal study when much of the primary data collected is descriptive
opinion and ordinal or interval data?
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Yes, a causal study can be conducted when most of the primary data collected happens to be
descriptive opinion and ordinal or interval data, but it is not without limitations. According to
Malhotra (2010), while descriptive opinion data may provide valuable insight into perceptions
and attitudes that perhaps hint at causal links, only robust quantitative data will generally be
good enough to clearly establish cause-and-effect relationships convincingly. However ordinal
and interval data may not be enough to establish causality along with other controls and analysis
(Gomes et al., 2022).
Yes, there is a need for the different types of data to be included in order to get a full
understanding. Scriptures according to Ecclesiastes 7:12, "Wisdom is a protection just as money
is a protection" (New King James Version, 1982). The principle here, from a biblical perspective,
underlines the fact that just as economic capital does, wisdom learned from different pieces of
data insight makes research conclusions strong and stable.
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References
Gabor, M. R. (2018). Entrepreneurial Framework Conditions and Sustainable Growth in Europe:
A Multimethod Analysis. Annals of “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati.
http://www.eia.feaa.ugal.ro/images/eia/2018_1/Gabor.pdf
Gomes, S., Ferreira, J., Lopes, J. M., & Farinha, L. (2022). The impacts of the entrepreneurial
conditions on economic growth: Evidence from OECD countries. Economies, 10(7), 163.
https://doi.org/10.3390/economies10070163
Malhotra, N. K. (2010). Marketing Research: An Applied Orientation (6th ed.). Pearson
Education Limited.
New International Version. (1984). The Holy Bible. Biblica, Inc.
New King James Version. (1982). The Holy Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Schindler, P. S. (2022). Business Research Methods (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C., & Griffin, M. (2013). Business Research Methods (9th
ed.). Cengage Learning.
