The rise of self-employment in the UK: entrepreneurial transmission or declining job quality?

Abstract The UK has experienced very significant growth in self-employment since the financial crisis. self-employed are at higher risk of income volatility while facing lower levels social insurance. Individual transitions into may be driven by a range factors, both ‘pull’ and ‘push’. This paper proposes re-evaluation evidence on whether private sector business organizations stimulate entrepreneurial transmission amongst their employees. In context rising reflect consequences flexibilization falling job quality, rather than outright loss. Previous research focused mainly subjective notion satisfaction to identify level attachment future have current employer. Quantitative analysis is undertaken using large scale British longitudinal survey data. extends this work show that organizational (dis)attachment evidenced extrinsic indicators providing explanatory information beyond intrinsic satisfaction. Specifically, shows impact training entry depends asymmetrically source training. Finally, argues reduced provides an alternative explanation for any ‘entrepreneurial transmission’ effect, through which employees, particularly those smaller organizations, more likely enter self-employment. However, anticipated improvement experience from choosing seen somewhat illusory, speaking growing concerns about gig economy.