Applying self-determination theory to explaining differences in career commitment between self-employed and salaried employees: The role of basic psychological needs
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Date
2020
Authors
Mabunda Baluku, Martin
Balikoowa, Richard
Bantu, Edward
Otto, Kathleen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies
Abstract
Based on self-determination theory, this study aims to examine the impact of satisfaction of basic
psychological needs (BPNs) on the commitment to stay self- or salary-employed. Not only the entry of
individuals but also their commitment to remain self-employed is important. Enterprises established by the
self-employed can only survive longer if the owners are willing to continue in self-employment.
Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted among a cross-country sample drawn
from Germany, Kenya and Uganda. An online survey was conducted among self- and salary-employed
individuals in Germany. In Uganda and Kenya, cross-sectional samples were recruited through their
workplaces and business forums. These processes yielded 869 responses (373 self-employed and 494 salaryemployed).
Differences in the impact of BPNs on the commitment to self-employed or salaried-employment
across countries were examined using PROCESS macro 2.16.
Findings – The findings revealed that the self-employed exhibit higher commitment to their current form of
employment than the salary-employed. The satisfaction of needs for autonomy and competence were
associated with higher levels of commitment to self-employment than to salary-employment across the three countries. The need for relatedness was also strongly associated with commitment to self-employment much
more than to salary-employment for Ugandan and Kenyan participants; but not for the German participants.
Originality/value – Persistence in self-employment is essential not only for individuals to remain
employed but also as a pathway to achieving career success. However, research has paid limited attention to
persistence in self-employment. This research contributes to the understanding of antecedents for
commitment to self-employment across countries, and therefore what should be done to enable particularly
young individuals to stay self-employed. Moreover, the study also examines whether these antecedents have
similar effects among individuals in salaried-employment.
Description
Keywords
Self-employment, Self-determination theory, Career commitment, Basic psychological needs, Need for autonomy, Need for competence
Citation
Baluku, M. M., Balikoowa, R., Bantu, E., & Otto, K. (2020). Applying self-determination theory to explaining differences in career commitment between self-employed and salaried employees: The role of basic psychological needs. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies. DOI 10.1108/JEEE-05-2019-005