Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Small Business Economics 2/2020

03.09.2019

Do freelance independent contractors promote entrepreneurship?

verfasst von: Andrew Burke, Imran Zawwar, Stephanie Hussels

Erschienen in: Small Business Economics | Ausgabe 2/2020

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

We investigate whether or not the level of entrepreneurial activity in an economy is determined by the availability of freelance independent contractors in the workforce. We develop hypotheses and test them through an analysis of 75 countries from 2002 to 2012 using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) database. We find freelance independent contractors promote entrepreneurial activity where typically a 10% rise in the freelance workforce causes about a 1% increase in entrepreneurial activity. The significance of this positive effect is robust for both necessity and opportunity-driven entrepreneurial types and across innovation-driven and efficiency-driven economies—but it is stronger in innovation-driven economies and also for necessity entrepreneurship. It implies that having a flexible workforce is a key ingredient to having an entrepreneurial economy. Furthermore, it indicates that orthodox research and public policy perspectives which overlook the importance of freelance independent contractors for entrepreneurship activity require a re-appraisal.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Anhänge
Nur mit Berechtigung zugänglich
Fußnoten
1
The measure of GDP used in our analysis is in PPP at constant prices of 2011 in USD, having data in PPP ensures comparison across the countries while holding it constant at 2011 prices ensures comparability across time (see Feenstra et al. (2015)).
 
2
We choose 0.05 as the value for (g + d) (see Caselli et al. 1996; Islam 1995 and Mankiw et al. 1992).
 
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Acs, Z. J., & Gifford, S. (1996). Innovation of entrepreneurial firms. Small Business Economics, 8(3), 203–218. Acs, Z. J., & Gifford, S. (1996). Innovation of entrepreneurial firms. Small Business Economics, 8(3), 203–218.
Zurück zum Zitat Acs, Z. J., Audretsch, D. B., & Evans, D. S. (1994). Why does the self-employment rate vary across countries and over time. London: CEPR. Acs, Z. J., Audretsch, D. B., & Evans, D. S. (1994). Why does the self-employment rate vary across countries and over time. London: CEPR.
Zurück zum Zitat Acs, Z. J., Desai, S., & Hessels, J. (2008). Entrepreneurship, economic development and institutions. Small Business Economics, 31(3), 219–234. Acs, Z. J., Desai, S., & Hessels, J. (2008). Entrepreneurship, economic development and institutions. Small Business Economics, 31(3), 219–234.
Zurück zum Zitat Acs, Z. J., Audretsch, D. B., Braunerhjelm, P., & Carlsson, B. (2012). Growth and entrepreneurship. Small Business Economics, 39(2), 289–300. Acs, Z. J., Audretsch, D. B., Braunerhjelm, P., & Carlsson, B. (2012). Growth and entrepreneurship. Small Business Economics, 39(2), 289–300.
Zurück zum Zitat Anokhin, S., & Schulze, W. S. (2009). Entrepreneurship, innovation, and corruption. Journal of Business Venturing, 24(5), 465–476. Anokhin, S., & Schulze, W. S. (2009). Entrepreneurship, innovation, and corruption. Journal of Business Venturing, 24(5), 465–476.
Zurück zum Zitat Armington, C., & Acs, Z. J. (2002). The determinants of regional variation in new firm formation. Regional Studies, 36(1), 33–47. Armington, C., & Acs, Z. J. (2002). The determinants of regional variation in new firm formation. Regional Studies, 36(1), 33–47.
Zurück zum Zitat Atkinson, J. (1984). Manpower strategies for flexible organizations. Personnel Management, 16, 28–31. Atkinson, J. (1984). Manpower strategies for flexible organizations. Personnel Management, 16, 28–31.
Zurück zum Zitat Audretsch, D. B. (1995). Innovation and industry evolution. Cambridge: The MIT Press. Audretsch, D. B. (1995). Innovation and industry evolution. Cambridge: The MIT Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Audretsch, D., & Thurik, R. (2004). A model of the entrepreneurial economy. International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 2, 143–166. Audretsch, D., & Thurik, R. (2004). A model of the entrepreneurial economy. International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 2, 143–166.
Zurück zum Zitat Audretsch, D. B., Kuratko, D. F., & Link, A. N. (2015). Making sense of the elusive paradigm of entrepreneurship. Small Business Economics, 45(4), 703–712. Audretsch, D. B., Kuratko, D. F., & Link, A. N. (2015). Making sense of the elusive paradigm of entrepreneurship. Small Business Economics, 45(4), 703–712.
Zurück zum Zitat Bakker, R. M. (2010). Taking stock of temporary organizational forms: a systematic review and research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(4), 466–486. Bakker, R. M. (2010). Taking stock of temporary organizational forms: a systematic review and research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(4), 466–486.
Zurück zum Zitat Barley, S. R., & Kunda, G. (2006). Contracting: a new form of professional practice. Academy of Management Perspectives, 20(1), 45–66. Barley, S. R., & Kunda, G. (2006). Contracting: a new form of professional practice. Academy of Management Perspectives, 20(1), 45–66.
Zurück zum Zitat Barro, R. J. (1998). Determinants of economic growth: a cross country empirical study. Cambridge: MIT Press. Barro, R. J. (1998). Determinants of economic growth: a cross country empirical study. Cambridge: MIT Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Bhide, A. (2008). The venturesome economy: how innovation sustains prosperity in a more connected world. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press. Bhide, A. (2008). The venturesome economy: how innovation sustains prosperity in a more connected world. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Block, J. H., Kohn, K., Miller, D., & Ullrich, K. (2015). Necessity entrepreneurship and competitive strategy. Small Business Economics, 44(1), 37–54. Block, J. H., Kohn, K., Miller, D., & Ullrich, K. (2015). Necessity entrepreneurship and competitive strategy. Small Business Economics, 44(1), 37–54.
Zurück zum Zitat Bögenhold, D., Heinonen, J., & Akola, E. (2014). Entrepreneurship and independent professionals: social and economic logics. International Advances in Economic Research, 20(3), 295–310. Bögenhold, D., Heinonen, J., & Akola, E. (2014). Entrepreneurship and independent professionals: social and economic logics. International Advances in Economic Research, 20(3), 295–310.
Zurück zum Zitat Burke, A. (2009). Strategies for entrepreneurial success. Journal of Strategic Management Education, 5(1), 33–44. Burke, A. (2009). Strategies for entrepreneurial success. Journal of Strategic Management Education, 5(1), 33–44.
Zurück zum Zitat Burke, A. (2011). The entrepreneurship enabling role of freelancers: theory with evidence from the construction industry. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 9(3), 131–158. Burke, A. (2011). The entrepreneurship enabling role of freelancers: theory with evidence from the construction industry. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 9(3), 131–158.
Zurück zum Zitat Burke, A. (2012). The role of freelancers in the 21st century British economy. London: PCG. Burke, A. (2012). The role of freelancers in the 21st century British economy. London: PCG.
Zurück zum Zitat Burke, A., & Cowling, M. (2015). The use and value of freelancers: the perspective of managers. In A. Burke (Ed.), The handbook of research on freelancing and self-employment (pp. 1–14). Senate Hall: Dublin. Burke, A., & Cowling, M. (2015). The use and value of freelancers: the perspective of managers. In A. Burke (Ed.), The handbook of research on freelancing and self-employment (pp. 1–14). Senate Hall: Dublin.
Zurück zum Zitat Burke, A. & Hussels, S., (2013). How competition strengthens startups. Harvard Business Review, 91(3). Burke, A. & Hussels, S., (2013). How competition strengthens startups. Harvard Business Review, 91(3).
Zurück zum Zitat Caselli, F., Esquivel, G., & Lefort, F. (1996). Reopening the convergence debate: a new look at cross-country growth empirics. Journal of Economic Growth, 1(3), 363–389. Caselli, F., Esquivel, G., & Lefort, F. (1996). Reopening the convergence debate: a new look at cross-country growth empirics. Journal of Economic Growth, 1(3), 363–389.
Zurück zum Zitat DeFillipi, R. J. (2001). Introduction: project-based learning, reflective practices and learning outcomes. Management Learning, 32, 5–10. DeFillipi, R. J. (2001). Introduction: project-based learning, reflective practices and learning outcomes. Management Learning, 32, 5–10.
Zurück zum Zitat Evans, D. S., & Jovanovic, B. (1989). An estimated model of entrepreneurial choice under liquidity constraints. Journal of Political Economy, 97(4), 519–535. Evans, D. S., & Jovanovic, B. (1989). An estimated model of entrepreneurial choice under liquidity constraints. Journal of Political Economy, 97(4), 519–535.
Zurück zum Zitat Feenstra, R. C., Inklaar, R., & Timmer, M. P. (2015). The next generation of the Penn World Table. American Economic Review, 105(10), 3150–3182. Feenstra, R. C., Inklaar, R., & Timmer, M. P. (2015). The next generation of the Penn World Table. American Economic Review, 105(10), 3150–3182.
Zurück zum Zitat Foreman-Peck, J. (1985). Seedcorn or chaff? New firm formation and the performance of the interwar economy. Economic History Review, 38(3), 402–422. Foreman-Peck, J. (1985). Seedcorn or chaff? New firm formation and the performance of the interwar economy. Economic History Review, 38(3), 402–422.
Zurück zum Zitat Fritsch, M., & Falck, O. (2007). New business formation by industry over space and time: a multidimensional analysis. Regional Studies, 41(2), 157–172. Fritsch, M., & Falck, O. (2007). New business formation by industry over space and time: a multidimensional analysis. Regional Studies, 41(2), 157–172.
Zurück zum Zitat Fritsch, M., & Mueller, P. (2007). The persistence of regional new business formation-activity over time—assessing the potential of policy promotion programs. Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 17(3), 299–315. Fritsch, M., & Mueller, P. (2007). The persistence of regional new business formation-activity over time—assessing the potential of policy promotion programs. Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 17(3), 299–315.
Zurück zum Zitat Gould, D., & Amaro-Reyes, J. (1983). The effects of corruption on administrative performance: illustrations from developing countries. In Gupta (Ed.), Governance, corruption & economic performance (pp. 489–537). Washington, D.C: International Monetary Fund Publication Services. Gould, D., & Amaro-Reyes, J. (1983). The effects of corruption on administrative performance: illustrations from developing countries. In Gupta (Ed.), Governance, corruption & economic performance (pp. 489–537). Washington, D.C: International Monetary Fund Publication Services.
Zurück zum Zitat Guest, D. (2004). Flexible employment contracts, the psychological contract and employee outcomes: an analysis and review of the evidence. International Journal of Management Reviews, 5–6(1), 1–19. Guest, D. (2004). Flexible employment contracts, the psychological contract and employee outcomes: an analysis and review of the evidence. International Journal of Management Reviews, 5–6(1), 1–19.
Zurück zum Zitat Islam, N. (1995). Growth empirics: a panel data approach. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 110(4), 1127–1170. Islam, N. (1995). Growth empirics: a panel data approach. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 110(4), 1127–1170.
Zurück zum Zitat Jahn, E., Riphahn, R. T., & Schnabel, C. (2012). Flexible forms of employment: boon and bane. Laser Discussion Papers, 62, 18–19. Jahn, E., Riphahn, R. T., & Schnabel, C. (2012). Flexible forms of employment: boon and bane. Laser Discussion Papers, 62, 18–19.
Zurück zum Zitat Karmann, T., Mauer, R., Flatten, T. C., & Brettel, M. (2016). Entrepreneurial orientation and corruption. Journal of Business Ethics, 133(2), 223–234. Karmann, T., Mauer, R., Flatten, T. C., & Brettel, M. (2016). Entrepreneurial orientation and corruption. Journal of Business Ethics, 133(2), 223–234.
Zurück zum Zitat Kher, R., Streeter, D., & Just, D. R. (2012). The “good job” trap: opportunity cost as a deterrent to immediate venture creation. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 10(4), 127–152. Kher, R., Streeter, D., & Just, D. R. (2012). The “good job” trap: opportunity cost as a deterrent to immediate venture creation. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 10(4), 127–152.
Zurück zum Zitat Kitching, J. (2015). Tracking UK freelance workforce trends 1992-2015. In A. Burke (Ed.), The handbook of research on freelancing and self-employment (pp. 15–28). Senate Hall: Dublin. Kitching, J. (2015). Tracking UK freelance workforce trends 1992-2015. In A. Burke (Ed.), The handbook of research on freelancing and self-employment (pp. 15–28). Senate Hall: Dublin.
Zurück zum Zitat Leff, N. H. (1964). Economic development through bureaucratic corruption. The American Behavior Scientist, 8(2), 8–14. Leff, N. H. (1964). Economic development through bureaucratic corruption. The American Behavior Scientist, 8(2), 8–14.
Zurück zum Zitat Leighton, P. & Brown, D. (2013). Future working: The rise of Europe’s independent professionals (iPros). London: PCG. Leighton, P. & Brown, D. (2013). Future working: The rise of Europe’s independent professionals (iPros). London: PCG.
Zurück zum Zitat Liang, J., & Goetz, S. J. (2016). Self-employment and trade shock mitigation. Small Business Economics, 46(1), 45–56. Liang, J., & Goetz, S. J. (2016). Self-employment and trade shock mitigation. Small Business Economics, 46(1), 45–56.
Zurück zum Zitat Lucas, R. E. J. (1978). On the size distribution of business firms. Bell Journal of Economics, 9, 508–523. Lucas, R. E. J. (1978). On the size distribution of business firms. Bell Journal of Economics, 9, 508–523.
Zurück zum Zitat Mankiw, N. G., Romer, D., & Weil, D. N. (1992). A contribution to the empirics of economic growth. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 107(2), 407–437. Mankiw, N. G., Romer, D., & Weil, D. N. (1992). A contribution to the empirics of economic growth. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 107(2), 407–437.
Zurück zum Zitat Marvel, M. R., Davis, J. L., & Sproul, C. R. (2016). Human capital and entrepreneurship research: a critical review and future directions. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 40(3), 599–626. Marvel, M. R., Davis, J. L., & Sproul, C. R. (2016). Human capital and entrepreneurship research: a critical review and future directions. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 40(3), 599–626.
Zurück zum Zitat Mauro, P. (1995). Corruption and growth. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 110, 681–712. Mauro, P. (1995). Corruption and growth. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 110, 681–712.
Zurück zum Zitat Murphy, K. M., Shleifer, A., & Vishny, R. W. (1993). Why is rent-seeking so costly to growth? American Economic Review, 84, 409–414. Murphy, K. M., Shleifer, A., & Vishny, R. W. (1993). Why is rent-seeking so costly to growth? American Economic Review, 84, 409–414.
Zurück zum Zitat Porter, M., Sachs, J., & McArthur, J. (2002). Executive summary: competitiveness and stages of economic development. In M. Porter et al. (Eds.), The global competitiveness report 2001-2002 (pp. 16–25). New York: Oxford University Press. Porter, M., Sachs, J., & McArthur, J. (2002). Executive summary: competitiveness and stages of economic development. In M. Porter et al. (Eds.), The global competitiveness report 2001-2002 (pp. 16–25). New York: Oxford University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Psacharopoulos, & Patrinos, H. A. (2004). Return to investment in education: a further update. Education Economics, 12(2), 111–134. Psacharopoulos, & Patrinos, H. A. (2004). Return to investment in education: a further update. Education Economics, 12(2), 111–134.
Zurück zum Zitat Reynolds, P. D., Hay, M., & Camp, S. M. (1999). GEM global 1999 executive report. Kansas City: Kaufman Center. Reynolds, P. D., Hay, M., & Camp, S. M. (1999). GEM global 1999 executive report. Kansas City: Kaufman Center.
Zurück zum Zitat Ries, E. (2011). The lean startup. New York: Crown Business. Ries, E. (2011). The lean startup. New York: Crown Business.
Zurück zum Zitat Storey, D. J. (1991). The birth of new firms—does unemployment matter? A review of the evidence. Small Business Economics, 3(3), 167–178. Storey, D. J. (1991). The birth of new firms—does unemployment matter? A review of the evidence. Small Business Economics, 3(3), 167–178.
Zurück zum Zitat Thurik, A. R., Carree, M. A., Van Stel, A., & Audretsch, D. B. (2008). Does self-employment reduce unemployment? Journal of Business Venturing, 23(6), 673–686. Thurik, A. R., Carree, M. A., Van Stel, A., & Audretsch, D. B. (2008). Does self-employment reduce unemployment? Journal of Business Venturing, 23(6), 673–686.
Zurück zum Zitat Unger, J. M., Rauch, A., Frese, M., & Rosenbusch, N. (2011). Human capital and entrepreneurial success: a meta-analytical review. Journal of Business Venturing, 26(3), 341–358. Unger, J. M., Rauch, A., Frese, M., & Rosenbusch, N. (2011). Human capital and entrepreneurial success: a meta-analytical review. Journal of Business Venturing, 26(3), 341–358.
Zurück zum Zitat Verheul, I., Wennekers, S., Audretsch, D., & Thurik, A. R. (2002). An eclectic theory of entrepreneurship: policies, institutions and culture. In D. B. Audretsch, A. R. Thurik, I. Verheul, & S. Wennekers (Eds.), Entrepreneurship: determinants and policy in a European-US comparison (pp. 11–81). Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Verheul, I., Wennekers, S., Audretsch, D., & Thurik, A. R. (2002). An eclectic theory of entrepreneurship: policies, institutions and culture. In D. B. Audretsch, A. R. Thurik, I. Verheul, & S. Wennekers (Eds.), Entrepreneurship: determinants and policy in a European-US comparison (pp. 11–81). Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Zurück zum Zitat Wennekers, S., van Stel, A., Thurik, R., & Reynolds, P. (2005). Nascent entrepreneurship and the level of economic development. Small Business Economics, 24(3), 293–309. Wennekers, S., van Stel, A., Thurik, R., & Reynolds, P. (2005). Nascent entrepreneurship and the level of economic development. Small Business Economics, 24(3), 293–309.
Zurück zum Zitat Wennekers, S., van Stel, A., Carree, M., & Thurik, R. (2010). The relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development: is it U-shaped? Foundations and Trends in Entrepreneurship, 6(3), 167–237. Wennekers, S., van Stel, A., Carree, M., & Thurik, R. (2010). The relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development: is it U-shaped? Foundations and Trends in Entrepreneurship, 6(3), 167–237.
Zurück zum Zitat Wong, P. K., Ho, Y. P., & Autio, E. (2005). Entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth: evidence from GEM data. Small Business Economics, 24(3), 335–350. Wong, P. K., Ho, Y. P., & Autio, E. (2005). Entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth: evidence from GEM data. Small Business Economics, 24(3), 335–350.
Zurück zum Zitat Wooldridge, J. M. (2002). Introductory econometrics: a modern approach (2nd ed.). Ohio: South Western College Publishing. Wooldridge, J. M. (2002). Introductory econometrics: a modern approach (2nd ed.). Ohio: South Western College Publishing.
Metadaten
Titel
Do freelance independent contractors promote entrepreneurship?
verfasst von
Andrew Burke
Imran Zawwar
Stephanie Hussels
Publikationsdatum
03.09.2019
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Small Business Economics / Ausgabe 2/2020
Print ISSN: 0921-898X
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-0913
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-019-00242-w

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 2/2020

Small Business Economics 2/2020 Zur Ausgabe