Schattenwirtschaft und Arbeitsplatzschaffung

It is the aim of this study to discuss 'the shadow economy and job creation' based on empirical results. After the discussion of the topic in the economy, social policy and society, the following empirical discussion and the empirical foundation are asking for a clear and distinct and given definition of the shadow economy. Then arguments to the sources and positive and negative effects of the shadow economy on job creation are gathered. Empirical results on the macro and micro level describe the quantitative importance of the shadow economy in illegal illicit (black) work and legal household production. Important research results then are discussed based on a representative individual survey, the Sfb3-Secondary Occupation Survey. They encompass size and importance of the shadow economy within market and non-market activities of private households, socio-economic factors for explanation, and an impact analysis on black work and household production (Do-it-yourself) of a public policy, the 1990 German tax reform. With the background of the presented theoretical end empirical discussion and macro and micro results finally conclusions are drawn for the shadow economy and job creation: a reduction of the shadow economy will not create new jobs per se. Altogether, the positive effects of the shadow economy in black work and household production on job creation are dominant.