Freelancer as an owner-manager - the challenges and opportunities of knowledge-based self-employment
Pehkonen, Jenni (2013)
Pehkonen, Jenni
Saimaan ammattikorkeakoulu
2013
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013111417077
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013111417077
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of the study was to provide an insight to the field of freelancing and a general guideline on the topic for starting freelancers. The research questions included: What is freelancing and what does it entail? How does freelancing compare to the common concept of entrepreneurship? What are the most important issues to consider when becoming a freelancer? For this purpose freelancers were categorised as one form of owner-managers and the concept of entrepreneurship and small business were discussed, so as to define how freelancers differ from the common concept of entrepreneurship. A secondary aim of the study was to raise awareness of freelancing as a research topic to promote further research.
The information and data used in the thesis were gathered from various literature and Internet sources. Theoretical concepts discussed in the study include entrepreneurship, small business, owner-managers and freelancing. The concepts were studied to provide a background for freelancing and how it relates to entrepreneurship. The empirical data was gathered from an existing survey on freelance translators, journalists and artists in Finland. The survey was part of a wider study on entrepreneurship completed by the Finnish Ministry of Labour.
The results of the study indicated that freelancing presents workers with various demands that require forethought and preparation, but also provides them with a unique freedom and independence without the common constraints associated with traditional entrepreneurship. It would be wise to study freelancing more extensively, so as to provide more cohesive data on the topic and to better promote the field to prospective employers as well as workers.
The information and data used in the thesis were gathered from various literature and Internet sources. Theoretical concepts discussed in the study include entrepreneurship, small business, owner-managers and freelancing. The concepts were studied to provide a background for freelancing and how it relates to entrepreneurship. The empirical data was gathered from an existing survey on freelance translators, journalists and artists in Finland. The survey was part of a wider study on entrepreneurship completed by the Finnish Ministry of Labour.
The results of the study indicated that freelancing presents workers with various demands that require forethought and preparation, but also provides them with a unique freedom and independence without the common constraints associated with traditional entrepreneurship. It would be wise to study freelancing more extensively, so as to provide more cohesive data on the topic and to better promote the field to prospective employers as well as workers.