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Why Did Self-Employment Increase so Strongly in Germany?

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Listed:
  • Fritsch, Michael

    (University of Jena)

  • Kritikos, Alexander S.

    (DIW Berlin)

  • Sorgner, Alina

    (John Cabot University)

Abstract

Germany experienced a unique rise in the level of self-employment in the first two decades following unification. Applying the non-linear Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique, we find that the main factors driving these changes in the overall level of self-employment are demographic developments, the shift towards service sector employment, and a larger share of population holding a tertiary degree. While these factors explain most of the development in self-employment with employees and the overall level of self-employment in West Germany, their explanatory power is much lower for the stronger increase of solo self-employment and of self-employment in former socialist East Germany.

Suggested Citation

  • Fritsch, Michael & Kritikos, Alexander S. & Sorgner, Alina, 2015. "Why Did Self-Employment Increase so Strongly in Germany?," IZA Discussion Papers 8818, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8818
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fossen, Frank M., 2011. "Personal bankcuptcy law, wealth and entrepreneurship - Theory and evidence from the introduction of a 'fresh start'," Discussion Papers 2011/8, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
    2. Fritsch, Michael & Kritikos, Alexander S. & Rusakova, Alina, 2012. "Who Starts a Business and Who is Self-Employed in Germany," IZA Discussion Papers 6326, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    entrepreneurship; non-linear Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique; self-employment; Germany;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis

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