edoc

Overoptimistic Entrepreneurs: Predicting Wellbeing Consequences of Self-Employment

Odermatt, Reto and Powdthavee, Nattavudh and Stutzer, Alois. (2017) Overoptimistic Entrepreneurs: Predicting Wellbeing Consequences of Self-Employment. IZA Discussion Paper, (11098). Bonn.

Full text not available from this repository.

Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/57913/

Downloads: Statistics Overview

Abstract

The formation of expectations is a fundamental part of the process when people decide about engaging in an entrepreneurial venture. We evaluate the accuracy of newly self-employed people's predictions of their overall future wellbeing. Based on individual panel data for Germany, we find that they are overly optimistic when we compare their predicted life satisfaction with their actual life satisfaction five years later on. This overoptimism also holds for those entrepreneurs who successfully remain in business for at least five years. A possible reason might be that they underestimate the heavy workload reflected in higher working hours than desired and the drop in leisure satisfaction.
Faculties and Departments:06 Faculty of Business and Economics > Departement Wirtschaftswissenschaften > Professuren Wirtschaftswissenschaften > Politische Ökonomie (Stutzer)
UniBasel Contributors:Odermatt, Reto and Stutzer, Alois
Item Type:Working Paper
Publisher:IZA Institute of Labor Economics
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Discussion paper / Internet publication
Related URLs:
Last Modified:19 Dec 2017 15:13
Deposited On:19 Dec 2017 15:13

Repository Staff Only: item control page