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Senior Entrepreneurship. Self-employment by Older People – an Uncharted Territory

Author

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  • Uwe Fachinger

    (University of Vechta, Institute of Gerontology, Vechta, Germany.)

Abstract

An ageing population means a growing number of healthy older people with human capital, financial resources, and time available to contribute to economic activities. However, the economic potential of older people remains mostly underused, which leads to the question, how to make best use of the underused. One way would be fostering senior entrepreneurship. The paper discusses which factors may positively influence or hinder the self-employment of older people. Overall, attention will be drawn to the relevance of older people in the field of business and entrepreneurial economics. From an economic point of view, it seems necessary not only to focus on young people but also to take into account the large and still growing economic potential of the elderly. There seems to be a treasure in waiting. JEL Classification: J14, J21, L26

Suggested Citation

  • Uwe Fachinger, 2019. "Senior Entrepreneurship. Self-employment by Older People – an Uncharted Territory," Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, vol. 22(SCI), pages 95-106, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:zag:zirebs:v:22:y:2019:i:sci:p:95-106
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Liang & Hui Wang & Edward P. Lazear, 2018. "Demographics and Entrepreneurship," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 126(S1), pages 140-196.
    2. David Halabisky, 2012. "Entrepreneurial Activities in Europe - Senior Entrepreneurship," OECD Employment Policy Papers 2, OECD Publishing.
    3. Kautonen, Teemu & Kibler, Ewald & Minniti, Maria, 2017. "Late-career entrepreneurship, income and quality of life," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 318-333.
    4. Rafik Abdesselam & Jean Bonnet & Patricia Renou-Maissant, 2017. "The Demography of Enterprises and Employment in the European Union Countries," Economics Working Paper Archive (University of Rennes & University of Caen) 2017-10, Center for Research in Economics and Management (CREM), University of Rennes, University of Caen and CNRS.
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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