The Future of Work, Small and Independent Businesses
Our 2018 research continues to be focused on the future of work and the workplace, and what it means for small and micro 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 conducting a range of research activities on independent workers (freelancers, consultants, temps, etc.) in 2015. We are again partnering with MBO Partners on the 8th annual edition of the State of Independence in America study. This year will include a deep dive on independent workers who provide services to corporations.
2. Risk Profiles of Traditional Employees and the Self-Employed: We're continuing work started in 2017 exploring the differences in how each of these groups view risk and how this impacts their employment decisions.
3. The On-Demand Economy: We're continuing research started in 2014 with Intuit on the On-Demand Economy (ODE) with a focus on better understanding the attitudes and motivations of those working in ODE jobs.
4. Economic Uncertainty: We will be examining how economic uncertainty is impacting decision making related to employment, with a focus on how uncertainty is leading to growing numbers of independent workers and side gigs.
5. Coworking: Our 2018 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.
6. Cities, New Localism and Freelancers: Social, demographic and technology trends are driving a rediscovery of local communities and all things local. We will continue examining how the new localism trend is impacting where and how we work. We'll also be looking at how cities can encourage and support independent workers and how they impact local economies.
7. 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 this sector.