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The Self-Employment Option in Rigid Labor Markets: An Empirical Investigation

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Abstract

This paper studies selection into and returns to self-employment in labor markets with stringent employment protection. Using Spanish administrative panel data, we characterize self-employment dynamics in the presence of rigidities that affect workers? outside options. We document the negative selection into self-employment when workers enter from unemployment, and the pro-cyclicality of the decision. We identify career heterogeneity in the data and estimate a rich life-cycle income process. The self-employed face shocks with smaller variances but lower returns compared to fixed-term workers?the prevalent contract out of unemployment. These facts call for a revision of active labor market policies in place.

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  • Joaquin Garcia-Cabo & Rocio Madera, 2019. "The Self-Employment Option in Rigid Labor Markets: An Empirical Investigation," International Finance Discussion Papers 1264, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgif:1264
    DOI: 10.17016/IFDP.2019.1264
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Poschke, Markus, 2013. "Who becomes an entrepreneur? Labor market prospects and occupational choice," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 693-710.
    2. repec:bla:obuest:v:61:y:1999:i:3:p:315-41 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Guell, Maia & Petrongolo, Barbara, 2007. "How binding are legal limits? Transitions from temporary to permanent work in Spain," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 153-183, April.
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    6. Schoar, Antoinette & Thesmar, David & Sraer, David & Hombert, Johan, 2014. "Can Unemployment Insurance Spur Entrepreneurial Activity?," CEPR Discussion Papers 10294, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    7. Raquel Carrasco, 1999. "Transitions to and From Self‐employment in Spain: An Empirical Analysis," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 61(3), pages 315-341, August.
    8. Wiji Narendranathan & Mark B. Stewart, 1993. "Modelling the Probability of Leaving Unemployment: Competing Risks Models with Flexible Base‐Line Hazards," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series C, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 42(1), pages 63-83, March.
    9. Evans, David S & Leighton, Linda S, 1989. "Some Empirical Aspects of Entrepreneurship," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 79(3), pages 519-535, June.
    10. Fatih Karahan & Serdar Ozkan, 2013. "On the Persistence of Income Shocks over the Life Cycle: Evidence, Theory, and Implications," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 16(3), pages 452-476, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Camarero Garcia, Sebastian & Hansch, Michelle, 2020. "The effect of unemployment insurance benefits on (self-)employment: Two sides of the same coin?," ZEW Discussion Papers 20-062, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    2. Sergio Ocampo & Juan Herreño, 2023. "The Macroeconomic Consequences of Subsistence Self-Employment," University of Western Ontario, Departmental Research Report Series 20231, University of Western Ontario, Department of Economics.
    3. Juan Herreno & Sergio Ocampo, 2020. "Self-Employment and Development," University of Western Ontario, Centre for Human Capital and Productivity (CHCP) Working Papers 20209, University of Western Ontario, Centre for Human Capital and Productivity (CHCP).
    4. Herreño, Juan & Ocampo, Sergio, 2023. "The macroeconomic consequences of subsistence self-employment," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 91-106.
    5. Camarero Garcia, Sebastian & Henao, Leandro, 2025. "Stumbling blocks or stepping stones: The effects of promoting (youth) entrepreneurship," Ruhr Economic Papers 1189, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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