Pernilla Andersson

Do the unemployed become successful entrepreneurs

Purpose - Many unemployed people become self-employed. Self-employment, however, does not necessarily lead to success. The main objective of the paper is to compare the economic outcome and success as self-employed between those who entered self-employment from paid employment, unemployment and inactivity. The question is if individuals who enter self-employment from a weak position on the labour market are equally successful as those who enter self-employment from a stronger position. Design/methodology/approach - Micro-econometric methods are used to estimate first the propensity to become self-employed in the period 1998-2002 among Swedish-born men aged 20-60 years who were unemployed, inactive or wage earners in 1998, and second, the economic outcome of self-employment. Economic outcome in 2002 is measured using income from self-employment and having employees in the firm. Findings - The study finds that the unemployed, and even more the inactive, are overrepresented among those who become self-employed. Those who were wage earners in 1998 have higher incomes and are also employing other people in their business to a much higher extent in 2002 than those who were unemployed or inactive in 1998. Practical implications - The results indicate that support for unemployed to become self-employed should be implemented with great care. The economic outcome of self-employment is inadequate for many who were unemployed earlier. Originality/value - The study will be valuable for those who are interested in those who become self-employed and in the economic outcome of self-employment for different groups.