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Autonomy or Working Conditions?—Research on Heterogeneity and Influencing Mechanism of Self-Employment on Job Satisfaction in China

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  • Yizhi Han

    (School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Jingyi Wang

    (Nanyang Center for Public Administration, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore)

Abstract

The development of globalization and information technology has been promoting informal work rapidly. In this process, self-employment is gradually becoming an important employment approach. As two of the key variables, self-employment laborers’ work autonomy and work conditions are largely discussed as the potential determinants of their work satisfaction. Which of these two factors is actually influencing labors’ satisfaction level? So far, relevant studies are insufficient to respond to this question, especially in developing countries. This study investigates the influence of work autonomy and working conditions on self-employed workers’ job satisfaction in China. China Labor-force Dynamics Survey data is used to examine the impact of self-employment on workers’ job satisfaction and the influence mechanism of work autonomy and working conditions. Propensity score matching and instrumental variable methods were applied to avoid sample selection bias and endogeneity. We found that self-employment has a significant negative effect on job satisfaction; poor working conditions are responsible for self-employed workers’ lower satisfaction level, and self-employment behavior impacts job satisfaction differently in terms of the type and gender of self-employed workers. Therefore, stronger social security and better working conditions for the self-employed should be provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Yizhi Han & Jingyi Wang, 2022. "Autonomy or Working Conditions?—Research on Heterogeneity and Influencing Mechanism of Self-Employment on Job Satisfaction in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:282-:d:1013870
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gordon Burtch & Seth Carnahan & Brad N. Greenwood, 2018. "Can You Gig It? An Empirical Examination of the Gig Economy and Entrepreneurial Activity," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 64(12), pages 5497-5520, December.
    2. Andrey Shevchuk & Denis Strebkov & Shannon N. Davis, 2019. "The Autonomy Paradox: How Night Work Undermines Subjective Well-Being of Internet-Based Freelancers," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 72(1), pages 75-100, January.
    3. Katie Cruz & Kate Hardy & Teela Sanders, 2017. "False Self-Employment, Autonomy and Regulating for Decent Work: Improving Working Conditions in the UK Stripping Industry," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 55(2), pages 274-294, June.
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