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The purpose of this study is to make an exploratory analysis of the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) as defined by Acs et al. (2014) on opportunity-driven senior entrepreneurial activity in Latin America.

The research uses data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute of five Latin America countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico), providing a total of 15,019 observations of people that are 50+ years old, between the years 2013 and 2017. A multi-level logistic regression model was used to estimate the relation between the total entrepreneurial activity by opportunity of seniors and some EE indicators. A total of three equations were estimated on the data set described.

This research confirms the relevance of some elements of EE on senior entrepreneurship in Latin America. Entrepreneurial attitudes have a positive relationship with senior entrepreneurs, generating higher levels of entrepreneurial ventures. The combination of institutions that support these attitudes on the EE enhances senior entrepreneurial activity. It also demonstrates that a higher level of entrepreneurial education at postschool stages is relevant to increasing senior entrepreneurial activity.

This research makes some interesting contributions in the field of measuring the impact of EE on senior entrepreneurship by opportunity in developing countries, filling a literature gap. It allows us to glimpse some measures that policymakers could take to improve the entrepreneurial activity of this segment in the region, such as implementing programs that facilitate networking opportunities and mentorship, along with providing training in business and financial literacy.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the productive structure and the size of the informal economy in Latin American countries.

The study employs econometric techniques for panel data covering the period from 2002 to 2017 and considering 17 Latin American countries. The evidence presented is based on the informal economy data generated by Medina and Schneider (2018) who estimate the size of the informal economy using a structural equation model and the share of manufacturing in total employment as a measure of the size of the manufacturing sector. Also, the study addresses the possible endogeneity bias in the relationship studied and makes the conclusions more robust, thus avoiding spurious correlations that weaken the findings.

The results indicate that most industrialized Latin American countries are associated with a smaller size of the informal economy.

The findings have important policy implications, as they suggest that Latin American economies need to switch the structure of the economy toward more sophisticated productive structures if they want to reduce the size of the informal economy. Thus, more efforts should be deployed to policies to diversify and upgrade economies.

The study contributes to the literature on the informal economy by connecting the country’s productive structure and informality. Specifically, the results show that the productive structure of countries is a plausible explanation for the size of the informal economy.

Delving into the captivating landscape of entrepreneurship education, digital literacy and digital transformation, this study aims to investigate their interplay with entrepreneurial propensity and the moderating effect of school support among Jordanian school students aged 15–17. Anchored in the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the human capital theory (HCT), this work illuminates the intricate web of influences that shape students’ entrepreneurial mindset.

The study adopts a quantitative approach and uses a “paper-and-pencil" translated questionnaire to collect data from a convenience sample of (n = 650) school students in Jordan. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) v28 was utilized to scrutinize the variables' direct, mediating and moderated mediated impact.

The three structural models revealed that (1) entrepreneurship education has a positive effect on students’ entrepreneurial propensity; (2) digital literacy and digital transformation mediate the interaction between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial propensity; (3) school support moderates the mediating effect of digital literacy, and digital transformation, on the link between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial propensity.

The results offer actionable enlightenments for educators and policymakers in Jordan to tailor entrepreneurship education, digital literacy and support frameworks, effectively nurturing students' entrepreneurial mindset and aspirations.

This study contributes to understanding the complex dynamics between education, technology and entrepreneurship. Our modest contribution links the findings to a real-world case of two 15-year-old students in Jordan who were inspired by the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” to start their own business.