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On the economic and social benefits of direct selling

Author

Listed:
  • Peterson, Robert A.
  • Crittenden, Victoria L.
  • Albaum, Gerald

Abstract

The labor market has long included individuals seeking nonemployee, alternative work arrangements. Now, alternative work arrangements such as freelancing, independent contracting, and temporary contracts have entered the lexicon through the following terminology: the gig economy, the sharing economy, the YouEconomy, agile workforce, and contingent workers. There are currently an estimated 18.6 million independent contractors engaged in direct selling. This article reports the first attempt to empirically investigate and document both the economic and social impacts of direct selling in the U.S. Our findings suggest that direct selling has a consequential impact on the U.S. economy and that the direct selling experience fosters a variety of skills that benefit professional activities as well as the personal lives of millions of independent workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Peterson, Robert A. & Crittenden, Victoria L. & Albaum, Gerald, 2019. "On the economic and social benefits of direct selling," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 373-382.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:62:y:2019:i:3:p:373-382
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2018.12.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marysol McGee & Barbara J. Robles, 2016. "Exploring Online and Offline Informal Work : Findings from the Enterprising and Informal Work Activities (EIWA) Survey," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2016-089, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
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