Freelancers and innovation in France

Abstract

While the role of small businesses in innovation is well described, little attention is given to freelancers (business owners whose businesses are without personnel and who have no desire to grow their business). We used a sample of 32,595 French freelancers who started in 2002 to explore to what degree they are operating in innovative vs. non-innovative industries and to analyse the characteristics of those freelancers. The findings show that French freelancers are nearly as likely as other business owners to be active in innovative sectors. High education levels and desire for independence are also important characteristics of people working in this sector. This study contributes to the growing literature on innovation among researchers informing policy makers and prospective freelancers.

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