Deviant response: The effect of income inequality on informal entrepreneurship in emerging economies




Wei, Shihao; Boudreaux, Christopher; Su, Zhongfeng; Wu, Zhan; Stenholm, Pekka

PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media

2026

 Small Business Economics

0921-898X

1573-0913

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-025-01160-w

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-025-01160-w



Drawing on anomie theory, this study examines how income inequality affects informal entrepreneurship in emerging economies. Using a sample of 6,143 new ventures across 34 emerging economies over the period of 2012 to 2013, we find that income inequality encourages informal entrepreneurship, and this relationship is weaker for entrepreneurs with greater general human capital, financial capital, and partnerships. This study enhances our understanding of the social incentives for informal entrepreneurship and how the role of income inequality in informal entrepreneurship varies with entrepreneurs’ access to resources. Moreover, we also advance anomie theory by extending its application beyond traditional deviant behaviors.



Shihao Wei acknowledges support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 72502105). Zhongfeng Su acknowledges support from the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 25YJA630070). Zhan Wu acknowledges support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 72372117).


Last updated on 12/02/2026 01:52:59 PM