Precarity as the real experience of self-employed and micro enterprise

Time of realization: 2020–2023
Financing: TA ČR
Description: The main project objective is the support and innovation of Czech entrepreneurial environment with a focus on the self-employed and microenterprises through the analysis and subsequent recommendations to eliminate risks and hindrances related to these types of entrepreneurship. We also focus on new firms that have been found by previous research as the main creators of new jobs. In general, small firms and freelancers face specific disadvantages (e.g. low and volatile salaries).

In this project, we aim to identify those groups of the self-employed and microenterprises, in which various forms of precarity are the most prevalent. We also aim to offer solutions for these risks and provide them to policy makers who are responsible for the support of entrepreneurs and economic growth.

The project consists of the following key activities.

  1. A representative quantitative survey focused on micro-enterprises and self-employed persons will be carried out due to the absence of quantitative data examining precarity in micro-enterprises or self-employed persons. This survey identifies objective signs of precarity and will subsequently serve as a springboard for further project activities, as it will identify those groups of self-employed and micro-enterprises in terms of various characteristics (age, region and field of business, number of employees, gender and others). precarity is manifested to the greatest extent.
  2. Qualitative research of micro-enterprises and self-employed persons will follow the above-mentioned quantitative research, on the basis of which micro-enterprises and self-employed groups most at risk of precarity will be identified. Mix method research will be used.
  3. In parallel with the quantitative survey, three expert analyzes of the business environment and good practices will be carried out by external experts.
  4. Testing of how coworking can eliminate precarity.
Main  coordinator: Sociologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.
Coordinator at UEP: doc. Mgr. Ing. Martin Lukeš Ph.D.
Other participants from the Department of Entrepreneurship: Mgr. Marko Orel Ph.D.