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Why the self-employed are happier: Evidence from 25 European countries

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  • Schneck, Stefan

Abstract

Using survey data from 25 European countries, we can show that in most of the countries the self-employed are more satisfied with their jobs than employees. This paper aims to discuss the reasons why this is the case. The results show that part of the differences in job satisfaction between employees and self-employed individuals are due to creativity and autonomy in self-employment. This suggests that our results are in line with procedural utility theory (Benz & Frey, 2004, 2008). In other words, especially self-employed individuals seem to derive utility from the way outcomes are achieved.

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  • Schneck, Stefan, 2014. "Why the self-employed are happier: Evidence from 25 European countries," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(6), pages 1043-1048.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:67:y:2014:i:6:p:1043-1048
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.06.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Blanchflower, David G., 2000. "Self-employment in OECD countries," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 7(5), pages 471-505, September.
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    6. Stefan Schneck, 2012. "Revisiting Procedural Utility: Evidence from European Survey Data," EconStor Preprints 57929, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    7. repec:dau:papers:123456789/5067 is not listed on IDEAS
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    13. Pham, Tho & Talavera, Oleksandr & Zhang, Mao, 2018. "Self-employment, financial development, and well-being: Evidence from China, Russia, and Ukraine," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 754-769.
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    15. Nam Kyoon N. Kim & Simon C. Parker, 2021. "Entrepreneurial homeworkers," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 1427-1451, October.
    16. Saurabh & R. V. Ramanamurthy, 2023. "Employment status and wealth inequality between scheduled caste and other caste households in India," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 25(1), pages 1-16, June.
    17. Patel, Pankaj C. & Tsionas, Mike G. & Oghazi, Pejvak, 2023. "Compensating income variation in health and subjective well-being for the self-employed," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
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    22. Panka Bencsik & Tuugi Chuluun, 2021. "Comparative well-being of the self-employed and paid employees in the USA," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 355-384, January.

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