Title: Self-employment: a promising agenda for IHRM research

Authors: Urban Pauli; Beata Buchelt; Aleksy Pocztowski

Addresses: Cracow University of Economics (CUE), Rakowicka 27, 31-510 Cracow, Poland ' Cracow University of Economics (CUE), Rakowicka 27, 31-510 Cracow, Poland ' Cracow University of Economics (CUE), Rakowicka 27, 31-510 Cracow, Poland

Abstract: The main aim of this article is to present a theoretical model of applying HRM practices in the context of the self-employed (SE). According to recent studies and labour market data, the share of the self-employed in total employment is increasing. This may result from both changes in the business environment and attitudes to work. Running one's own business or being a self-contractor has become a promising alternative to contract employment. More and more, both young and experienced people choose this form of occupational activity for the higher earnings, career development and the work-life balance it affords. The article presents HRM as an important competency of the self-employed. That is followed by research designed to verify the interdependence between the level of HRM competency and business performance as well as SE employability.

Keywords: self-employment; international human resource management; human capital; micro firms; employability.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2019.096505

European Journal of International Management, 2019 Vol.13 No.1, pp.111 - 125

Received: 18 Aug 2016
Accepted: 18 May 2017
Published online: 05 Dec 2018 *

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