Exploring Individual and Family-related Characteristics of Hybrid Entrepreneurs

Abstract This research contributes to the knowledge of individuals called hybrid entrepreneurs who combine primary paid employment with secondary self-employment activity. We work with a dataset of 30 countries participating in the 2017 European Union Labour Force Survey. We conduct a multivariate analysis of individual and family-related characteristics of hybrid entrepreneurs. Our results highlight that hybrid entrepreneurs are a specific subgroup of the population of self-employed individuals. While the hybrid entrepreneurs are also a relatively heterogeneous group themselves, we show that most of them do business in the agricultural sector and live in rural areas. Their business activities seem to be on average younger than those being run by primarily self-employed individuals. This likely reflects the temporary nature of many hybrid entrepreneurship endeavours. Interestingly hybrid entrepreneurs have, on average, higher levels of education, but this finding relates mainly to those being involved in non-agricultural activities. Women are less likely to pursue hybrid entrepreneurship, which is even less likely associated with having caring responsibilities for children. Future research should provide more longitudinal insights into the family-kids related aspects of hybrid entrepreneurship.