The influence of a leader and social interaction on attendance: The case of the Japanese professional baseball league, 1952–2003

This paper explores how an early leader's choices influence later followers’ choices via social interaction, and to what extent this sequential behavior enhances industrial development by using the long-term data of Japanese professional baseball. Major findings make it evident that the “Leader” team regarded as an entrepreneur has the positive impact on other teams through social interaction. That is, the leader triggers industrial development and social interaction plays a crucial role in instigating it.