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Being Independent is a Great Thing: Subjective Evaluations of Self-Employment and Hierarchy

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Author Info
Bruno S. Frey
Matthias Benz

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Abstract

One can be independent, or subject to decisions made by others. This paper empirically tests whether individuals attach an intrinsic value to the institutional difference between independence and hierarchy. Taking self-employment as an important case of independence, it is shown that the self-employed derive more utility from their work than people employed by an organization, irrespective of income gained or hours worked. This is evidence for procedural utility: people do not only value outcomes, but also the conditions and processes leading to these outcomes. Individuals value independence and dislike hierarchy as such, over and above the associated outcomes.

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Paper provided by Institute for Empirical Research in Economics - IEW in its series IEW - Working Papers with number iewwp135.

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Handle: RePEc:zur:iewwpx:135

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Related research
Keywords: procedural utility; institutions; hierarchy; self-employment; job satisfaction;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
D00 - Microeconomics - - General - - - General
J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
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    Other versions:
  2. Konow, James, 2001. "Fair and square: the four sides of distributive justice," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 137-164, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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Full references

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Matthias Benz, . "Entrepreneurship as a non-profit-seeking activity," IEW - Working Papers iewwp243, Institute for Empirical Research in Economics - IEW. [Downloadable!]
  2. Block, Joern & Wagner, Marcus, 2006. "Necessity and Opportunity Entrepreneurs in Germany: Characteristics and Earnings Differentials," MPRA Paper 610, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  3. Robert A. J. Dur & Amihai Glazer, 2005. "The Desire for Impact," CESifo Working Paper Series CESifo Working Paper No. , CESifo Group Munich. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  4. Edvard Johansson, 2004. "Job Satisfaction in Finland - Some results from the European Community Household Panel 1996-2001," Discussion Papers 958, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy. [Downloadable!]
  5. Nzinga Broussard & Ralph Chami & Gregory Hess, 2003. "(Why) Do Self-Employed Parents Have More Children?," CESifo Working Paper Series CESifo Working Paper No. , CESifo Group Munich. [Downloadable!]
  6. C. Praag & Peter Versloot, 2007. "What is the value of entrepreneurship? A review of recent research," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 29(4), pages 351-382, December. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  7. Jörn Block & Philipp Sandner, 2009. "Necessity and Opportunity Entrepreneurs and Their Duration in Self-employment: Evidence from German Micro Data," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 9(2), pages 117-137, June. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  8. Bögenhold, Dieter & Fachinger, Uwe, 2004. "Struktureller Wandel selbständiger Erwerbsarbeit: Analysen auf der Grundlage der Scientific Use Files der Mikrozensen," MPRA Paper 1125, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  9. William J. Baumol, 2007. "Returns in Cost Diseased Markets with Psychic Benefits: Two Apparently Conflicting Models of Equilibrium," Working Papers 07-16, Utrecht School of Economics. [Downloadable!]
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