Historical Disease Prevalence, Cultural Values, and Global Innovation. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bennett, Daniel L.; Nikolaev, Boris
• Other Names: Nicolaou Nicos guest-editor.; Phan Phillip H. guest-editor.; Stephan Ute guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Entrepreneurship theory and practice. Volume 45:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 174
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: culture -- disease pathogens -- individualism-collectivism -- infectious diseases -- innovation -- parasite stress theory of values; Small business -- Periodicals; New business enterprises -- Periodicals; Entrepreneurship -- Periodicals; 658.421
• DOI: 10.1177/1042258720914506
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-2587

Abstract

The historical prevalence of infectious diseases has had an enduring effect on innovation around the world. Building on the Parasite Stress Theory of Values, we propose a framework suggestive that the impact of historical disease pathogens on contemporary innovation is transmitted through the development of cultural values as an evolutionary psychological immune system response to ecological conditions. Economic and social interaction between groups was greater (limited) in countries with low (high) pathogen levels, resulting in the development of individualistic (collectivistic) values, which in turn encouraged (impeded) innovation. We provide supportive empirical evidence for a sample of 83 countries.