Emergent Research

Tracking the Future of Small Business and Independent Work

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Emergent Research Blog

  • Small Business Labs: Tracking the future of small business

Reports and Resources

  • Harvard Business Review: Coworking Is Not About Workspace — It’s About Feeling Less Lonely
  • Podcast: The Gig Economy Smack Down
  • Dispatches From the New Economy: The 2016 On-Demand Workforce
  • Intuit 2016 Future of Small Business Report
  • MBO Partners State of Independence 2016
  • Dispatches From The New Economy: The Five Faces Of The On-Demand Econ…
  • Dispatches From The New Economy: The 2015 On-Demand Economy And The Future…
  • MBO Partners State of Independence 2015
  • How to Get Feedback as a Freelancer
  • Top 10 Small Business Trends for 2015
  • 2014 MBO Partners State of Independence Report
  • Small Business Success in the Cloud
  • How to Live the Freelance Life
  • Intuit 2020: Future of Accountancy
  • 3rd Annual (2013) State of Independence Report
  • The New Data Democracy
  • 2nd Annual MBO Partners State of Independence Study
  • State of Independence in America
  • Intuit 2020 Research Reports and Resources
  • Today's Hobbyists are Tomorrow's Hobbypreneurs
  • Defining Small Business Innovation
  • Intuit Future of Small Business Resources
  • The Connected World of Entrepreneurs

2019 Research Agenda

The Future of Work and its Impacts on Small Businesses and Independent Workers

Our 2019 research continues to be focused on the future of work and what it means for small businesses and independent workers (freelancers, independent consultants, etc.). 

This is a broad topic and this year's deeper research dives include:  

1.  The Independent Worker:  We are again partnering with MBO Partners on the 9th annual edition of the State of Independence in America study. This year will include a deep dive on highly skilled independent who provide services to larger enterprises. 

2. The Platform Economy: We're continuing our ongoing research on the impact online platforms and marketplaces are having on small business and independent workers. 

3. Financial Security and Stability:  We will be initiating a project on independent work and financial security and stability. 

4.  Coworking:  Our 2019 coworking related research will focus on coworking's impact on member happiness and life satisfaction. This is a continuation of our work on the social side of coworking.

5. Digital Nomads and Remote Work:   We will continue work started in 2018 analyzing the growing number of digital nomads, including who they are, why they are nomads and how they work. This is part of a broader, multi-year study looking at the future of remote work.

6.  Small and Artisan Manufacturing:  We will continue our ongoing research on small and artisan manufacturing examining how new technologies, business models and marketing methods are impacting the manufacturing sector. 

Emergent Research in the News

  • CNBC: The highest-paying freelance jobs of 2020
  • Washington Post: Laws to protect Uber drivers could put freelance journalists out of business
  • CNBC: California’s new employment law has boomeranged and is starting to crush freelancers
  • Global Coworking Unconference Conference: Coworking Megatrend Predictions for 2020
  • CPA Practice Advisor: Traditional Security Versus Cloud Security: A Comparison
  • Biz Tech Magazine: 30 Must-Follow Small Business IT Influencers
  • Recode: Artificial intelligence is coming for knowledge workers
  • MarketWatch: Turbo charging your retirement savings later in life is harder than you think
  • Recode: Working remotely: the pros and cons of working from home
  • Forbes: Is Remote Co-Living The Next Logical Step In The Freelance Economy?
  • Forbes: The Freelance Revolution Is Rising In Dubai
  • Lexology: California Bill Makes Gig Economy Workers ‘Employees’
  • Forbes: Think Starting A Business is Riskier Than Keeping Your Job? Think Again
  • BenefitsPRO: The state of benefits in the gig economy
  • Orange County Register: The crippling cost of doing business in California
  • Forbes: Looking For A Side Hustle Or Freelance Gig? Check Out These Sites
  • CNBC: These are the best places to launch a small business in America
  • RE Journal: It's all about the flexibility: Coworking still surging across the Midwest
  • Forbes: Despite A Booming Job Market, Many Solopreneurs Opt To Stay Independent