Freelancing: Cool jobs or bad jobs?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to study the working conditions for freelance jazz musicians and freelance journalists in Norway. The study indicates that freelancing entails both good and bad job characteristics. The overall job satisfaction is reasonably high. Furthermore, the freelancers’ turnover intentions in terms of intention to leave the freelance job situation are quite low. The intrinsic motivation is very high and most freelancers perceive self-employment to be a personal choice. They are least satisfied with their wages, even though this does not increase their intentions to quit being freelancers. What may lead to freelancers’ turn-over intentions is a tough labor market, job stress, limited career possibilities and social isolation. Cultural policy implications are discussed in the last section of the article.