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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2023

Chiara Natalie Focacci and François Pichault

According to Sen's theoretical framework of capability (1985), individuals reach their full potential once they have the freedom, intended as the set of functionings at their…

1074

Abstract

Purpose

According to Sen's theoretical framework of capability (1985), individuals reach their full potential once they have the freedom, intended as the set of functionings at their disposal, to do so. However, many critiques have been developed against the lack of embeddedness of the capability approach in social and political relations and structures. In this article, the authors investigate the influence of three institutional contexts (Belgium, the Netherlands and France) on the respective work-related functionings of self-employed and regular workers, with a focus on human capital investment and institutional support offered to them.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) are used to highlight similarities and differences in building work-related functionings for regular and self-employed workers. A regression analysis is provided at the country level.

Findings

In the three labour markets, the authors find that the building of work-related functionings is more successful for regular employees, especially as regards institutional support. Self-employed workers, on the other hand, need to rely on their individual capability as regards employment protection and human capital investment. However, the authors find interesting differences between the three institutional contexts. In both Belgium and France, self-employed workers are subject to higher instability in terms of changes in salary and hours worked, whereas atypical work is better positioned in the Dutch labour market. The Netherlands is also characterised by a less significant gap between regular and self-employed workers with respect to participation in training.

Originality/value

In this article, the authors contextualise Sen's (1985) theoretical framework by taking into account the institutional differences of labour markets. In particular, the authors provide a novel application of his capability approach to regular and self-employed workers in an economically relevant European area.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 43 no. 13/14
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2020

Lian Kösters and Wendy Smits

This paper analyses the relation between occupational characteristics and the probability that a worker in the Netherlands has a false self-employed arrangement instead of an…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper analyses the relation between occupational characteristics and the probability that a worker in the Netherlands has a false self-employed arrangement instead of an employee arrangement. These are arrangements in which self-employed workers perform tasks in the hierarchy of the firm as if they were employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the Dutch Labour Force Survey is used to analyse the relationship between occupational skill, routine and wage level and the probability to be a false self-employed or a standard or non-standard employee.

Findings

The results show that the probability to be false self-employed decreases slightly with the skill level of the occupation, but there is no evidence that false self-employment is more likely in low paid, routine occupations. Workers in the lowest paid occupations are more likely to have a non-standard contract as an employee. False self-employment arrangements are more likely in the (lower) middle paid occupations. Finally, the results show that working in the highest paid occupations increases the probability of being in a false self-employed arrangement, but only in arrangements that are characterised by economic and organizational dependency. These are arrangements with financial dependency on one client for income combined with dependency on this client on when and where to work.

Originality/value

This study makes an important contribution to the literature on identifying vulnerable self-employed workers as well as to the literature on mechanisms behind the growth of solo self-employment.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 42 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 October 2019

Erica L. Bettac and Tahira M. Probst

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the experiences of work–family conflict (WFC) and health- and sleep-related outcomes differ among traditionally employed and two forms…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the experiences of work–family conflict (WFC) and health- and sleep-related outcomes differ among traditionally employed and two forms of self-employment (SE): incorporated and unincorporated workers. Moreover, to explore whether the rationale in one’s decision to enter SE might influence these experiences, the authors additionally examined work-family (WF)- and non-WF-related reasons behind an individual’s decision to pursue incorporated vs unincorporated SE status.

Design/methodology/approach

Using anonymous Mechanical Turk survey data from a high-quality US adult worker sample (n=711; 62 percent male, age M=33.94) consisting of traditionally (78 percent) and self-employed individuals, the authors conducted an analysis of covariance to test hypotheses regarding the relationships between employment status, reasons for pursuing SE, WFC, sleep disturbance, sleep hours and physical health complaints.

Findings

Results showed WFC was positively related to sleep disturbances and physical health complaints and this relationship was exacerbated for self-employed workers, particularly those who were incorporated. Unincorporated self-employed individuals indicated more WF-balance-related reasons for pursuing SE compared to incorporated workers. Moreover, individuals who pursued SE for WF-balance reasons tended to report fewer negative reactions to WFC.

Practical implications

SE is associated with more negative sleep and health-related outcomes in response to WFC. This is particularly true for incorporated workers. Individuals should bear in mind these outcomes when considering whether to pursue SE. Moreover, governmental policies, and calls for change in such policies, should not only address financially related detriments (e.g. higher taxes, fewer benefits and protections) but also increasing support and providing resources (e.g. health insurance, family leave and entrepreneurial workplace initiatives) regarding the work/family and health-related impairments common for this growing, independent portion of the workforce.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine WF-related rationales for pursuing SE and differing sleep and health outcomes in response to WFC as a function of SE status and type.

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2017

Aleksandra Bujacz, Claudia Bernhard-Oettel, Thomas Rigotti and Petra Lindfors

Self-employed workers typically report higher well-being levels than employees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mechanisms that lead to differences in work engagement…

1222

Abstract

Purpose

Self-employed workers typically report higher well-being levels than employees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mechanisms that lead to differences in work engagement between self-employed and organizationally employed high-skilled workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-employed and organizationally employed high-skilled workers (N=167) were compared using a multigroup multilevel analysis. Participants assessed their job control (general level) and reported their work engagement during work tasks (task level) by means of the Day Reconstruction Method. Aspects of job control (autonomy, creativity, and learning opportunities) and task characteristics (social tasks and core work tasks) were contrasted for the two groups as predictors of work engagement.

Findings

Self-employed workers reported higher levels of job control and work engagement than organizationally employed workers. In both groups, job control predicted work engagement. Employees with more opportunities to be creative and autonomous were more engaged at work. Self-employed workers were more engaged when they had more learning opportunities. On the task level, the self-employed were more engaged during core work tasks and social tasks.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that self-employment is an effective way for high-skilled workers to increase the amount of job control available to them, and to improve their work engagement. From an intervention perspective, self-employed workers may benefit most from more learning opportunities, more social tasks, and more core work tasks. Organizationally employed workers may appreciate more autonomy and opportunities for creativity.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding of the role that job control and task characteristics play in predicting the work engagement of high-skilled self-employed and organizationally employed workers.

Details

Career Development International, vol. 22 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1362-0436

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 March 2021

Edmond Ofori

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the types of financial plan Ghanaian self-employed workers have towards their retirement, and the main forces that motivate these workers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the types of financial plan Ghanaian self-employed workers have towards their retirement, and the main forces that motivate these workers to financially plan for their pension.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focused on self-employed workers aged from 15 to 60 years. Questionnaires were administered in gathering data for the study. The researcher used probit model in analysing the driving forces behind self-employed workers' financial planning for retirement.

Findings

The study revealed that bank/credit union/savings and loans savings, building of apartments for renting, investment in SSNIT pension, investment in treasury bills/fixed deposits, investment in ownership of business and private insurance pension are the types of financial plan that exist for self-employed workers towards their retirement. The study found that age, marital status, level of education, household size, number of children, renting a house, life style of the future retiree, income, risk level of job and types of retirement plan are the driving forces behind the retirement plans of self-employed workers.

Practical implications

Using the identified types of financial plan and driving forces in this study, governments in the developing countries can develop and implement self-employed pension schemes, educate and encourage more self-employed workers to plan for their retirement.

Originality/value

Analysing the driving forces behind retirement plans of self-employed people in developing economies.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 48 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Jean‐Marc Falter

The increase in self‐employment is probably one of the most important change that occurred on the Swiss labour market in the past 20 years. Using newly available census data from…

Abstract

Purpose

The increase in self‐employment is probably one of the most important change that occurred on the Swiss labour market in the past 20 years. Using newly available census data from 1970 to 2000, seeks to investigate this evolution for the male labour force.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on census data from 1970 to 2000. Analysis is carried out by means of probability analysis (probit and logit model) and segregation analysis.

Findings

Finds that the evolution of the self‐employment rate is driven by changing factors of self‐employment as well as by a changing labour force. However, differences between self‐employed and wage‐workers have become smaller over time. This is especially relevant with respect to occupations. Regarding gender differences, the higher rate of self‐employed among men than among women is due to different factors rather than different characteristics of the labour force. Finally, investigates the structure of self‐employment in 2000. Finds that the distinction between various forms of self‐employment is quite relevant, a result that underlines the heterogeneity of the self‐employed.

Research limitations/implications

Finds that the distinction between different forms of self‐employment (with or without employees) does matter. Thus any research on self‐employment should take into account the heterogeneity of this population.

Originality/value

Data cover exhaustively the Swiss labour force, which allows a thorough investigation of the role of various factors. There is no other data in Switzerland that allows the investigation of the evolution of labour‐market phenomena over such a long period. Also focuses on different forms of self‐employment, a distinction that has often been overlooked in the literature.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 26 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 16 November 2016

Aysit Tansel and Elif Oznur Acar

This study investigates the formal/informal employment earnings gap in Turkey. We focus on the earnings differentials that can be explained by observable characteristics and…

Abstract

This study investigates the formal/informal employment earnings gap in Turkey. We focus on the earnings differentials that can be explained by observable characteristics and unobservable time-invariant individual heterogeneity. We first, estimate the standard Mincer earnings equations using ordinary least squares (OLS), controlling for individual, household, and job characteristics. Next we use, panel data and the quantile regression (QR) techniques in order to account for unobserved factors which might affect the earnings and the intrinsic heterogeneity within formal and informal sectors. OLS results confirm the existence of an informal sector penalty almost half of which is explained by observable variables. We find that formal-salaried workers are paid significantly higher than their informal counterparts and of the self-employed confirming the heterogeneity within the informal employment. QR results show that pay differentials are not uniform along the earnings distribution. In contrast to the mainstream literature which views informal self-employment as the upper-tier and wage-employment as the lower-tier, we find that self-employment corresponds to the lower-tier in the Turkish labor market. Finally, fixed effects estimation indicates that unobserved individual characteristics combined with controls for observable characteristics explain the pay differentials between formal and informal employment entirely in the total and the female sample. However, informal sector penalty persists in the male sample.

Details

Inequality after the 20th Century: Papers from the Sixth ECINEQ Meeting
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-993-0

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 6 December 2019

Tinka van Vuuren, Jeroen P. de Jong and Peter G.W. Smulders

The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between subjective job insecurity and self-rated job performance, and to assess how this association is different across…

4169

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between subjective job insecurity and self-rated job performance, and to assess how this association is different across different employment groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a data set owned by TNO and Statistics Netherlands of more than 89,000 Dutch workers and self-employed that is a representative sample of the Dutch workforce. The authors included data from 2014 and 2016 assessing subjective job insecurity in terms of “a concern about the future of one’s job/business” and self-rated job performance.

Findings

The effect size of the association between subjective job insecurity and self-rated job performance is small. For temporary agency workers and on-call workers, the association between subjective job insecurity and job performance is weaker compared to permanent workers and fixed-term workers. However for self-employed workers with and without employees, however, the relation between subjective job insecurity and job performance is stronger compared to permanent workers.

Research limitations/implications

The biggest limitation is the cross-sectional design of the study, which limits conclusions about causality.

Practical implications

The finding that subjective job insecurity goes together with less work performance shows that job insecurity has no upside for the productivity of companies.

Originality/value

The study provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between subjective job insecurity and self-rated job performance on a national level.

Details

Career Development International, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1362-0436

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2016

Anne Annink, Laura Den Dulk and José Ernesto Amorós

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of self-employed work characteristics (consumer orientation, innovativeness, number of employees, motivation, and…

1241

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of self-employed work characteristics (consumer orientation, innovativeness, number of employees, motivation, and entrepreneurial phase) on work-life balance (WLB) satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The job demands and resources approach is applied to test whether self-employed work characteristics are evaluated as job demands or resources for WLB. The Global Entrepreneurship Data (2013) offer a unique opportunity to conduct multilevel analysis among a sample of self-employed workers in 51 countries (N=11,458). Besides work characteristics, this paper tests whether country context might explain variation in WLB among the self-employed.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that there is a negative relation between being exposed to excessive stress and running a consumer-oriented business and WLB. Being motivated out of opportunity is positively related to WLB. In addition, the results indicate that country context matters. A higher human development index and more gender equality are negatively related to WLB, possibly because of higher social expectations and personal responsibility. The ease of doing business in a country was positively related to the WLB of self-employed workers.

Social implications

For some workers self-employment might be a way to combine work and responsibilities in other life domains, but this does not seem to be valid in all cases.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to current literature on the WLB of self-employed workers by showing how work characteristics can be evaluated as job demands or resources. Including work characteristics in future research might be a solution for acknowledging the heterogeneity among self-employed workers.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 22 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2000

Geoff Briscoe, Andrew Dainty and Sarah Millett

This paper examines the impact of government taxation policy on self‐employment as the preferred form of job tenure in the British construction industry. It analyses the rapid…

3327

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of government taxation policy on self‐employment as the preferred form of job tenure in the British construction industry. It analyses the rapid growth in self‐employment over the period 1970‐1996 in the context of a very benign tax regime. It shows how self‐employment has grown far more rapidly in construction than in other economic sectors and also how British construction has more self‐employment than its European counterparts. The role of financial factors, especially taxation, in the decisions of companies to use self‐employed workers and in workers themselves opting for self‐employed status, is identified. Recent changes in the approach of taxation authorities towards construction workers are described and the broad impact of such measures on the propensity to self‐employment is outlined. An economic model is specified for explaining construction self‐employment in terms of taxation and other economic determinants and the empirical results of applying the model to annual data for the period 1970 to 1999 are reported.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 21 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

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