全球創業觀察(Global Entrepreneurship Monitor; GEM)是目前國際上最具規模之跨國合作創業研究計畫,自1997年由Babson College及London Business School 發起,1999年正式啟動之後,至今已有十年歷史,參與會員國由10國增加至42國(2008年)。GEM以嚴謹的學術研究理論與方法出發,以國家為分析單位,針對各國之早期創業階段(early-stage entrepreneurial stage)狀況進行比較分析,而其所調查之研究結果已帶動世界各國對創業及國內之創業環境的推展。本文旨在介紹GEM之整體理論模式內容、調查方法,以及此計畫對於台灣在創業政策、研究與實務上的意涵。
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) is the most largest cross-national entrepreneurship research program in the world. The GEM was set up in 1997 and funded by the Babson College and London Business School. The number of participating counties has risen from 10 in 1999 to 42 in 2008. The GEM based on theoretical and empirical research method at the country level. The GEM data source is the only one that makes comparisons of early stage entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the results of GEM provide the directions to improve national economic growth, entrepreneurship, and environment. The purpose of this study is introducing the theoretical GEM model, data collection process, and the implications for Taiwan's entrepreneurship policy, researchers and entrepreneurs.