Intention to Leave Self-employment: A Comparison of Business Owners and Independently Self-employed

This paper examines individuals who want to leave self-employment to work a ‘regular’ job for someone else. We compare business owners and independently self-employed that intend to leave self-employment (Leavers) with those who desire to remain self-employed (Stayers). The analyses used data from a national probability sample (n = 738 self-employed), the 2008 National Study of the Changing Workforce. Work, health, work-family, and satisfaction variables differed for four groups (Owner Stayers, Independent Stayers, Owner Leavers, and Independent Leavers) controlling for demographic and personal variables. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.