PRIME Initiative

Here are a collection of papers on 50+ Self Employment, Enterprise, and Start-up

Due to copyright laws PRIME is unable to provide copies of many of the papers on this website, however details of how to acquire copies are listed below.

5. Desperation and Inspiration - The motives and competences of older Entrepreneurs in the UK, July 2003 report by Mary Creagh for TTE@40. Report available form Mary Creagh, Cranfield School of management 01234 751122.

6. Self Employment As a route off Benefits. Self Employment in the New Deal 50 plus
pages 85-94 pages. Commissioned by the DWP 2002. To review evidence about self-employment as a sustained route off benefit. Report available form the DWP.

7. Lifestyle Businesses – Facts and myths 2002
Compiled by Prime-Cymru

8. Employment transitions of older workers. The role of flexible employment for older workers By Stephen Lissenburgh and Deborah Smeaton 2003.
Using national survey data, the research examined the characteristics and experiences of those leaving permanent jobs, factors associated with moving to temporary , part-time or self-employment and the qualities of these alternatives forms of work. Full report available from Marston Book Services Tel:01235 465500

9. The self-designing career in later life, a study of portfolio older workers by Kerry Platman.
This Paper draws on a 3 year study of freelance employment in UK’S media industry. Copy of available from Kerry Platman at k.plateman@open.ac.uk

10.The Price of Freedom: The myths and realities of the portfolio career for experienced, older professionals – by Kerry Platman,
Open University (July 2002). An article suggesing that the path of freelancer is not necessarily a good option for the 50+, which is contradictory to the general view that it is a good way to stop economic inactivity of this age group. Copy of available from Kerry Platman at k.plateman@open.ac.uk

11. Over 50’s Going it Alone’ Survey – by Jo Keevil (March 2002).
A look at 14 people decision to go in to self-employment, their reasons, their challenges, and the advice they sought. Copy of available from PRIME

12. PRIME’s first Evaluation Study: 1999-2001 – by PRIME (2002).
A review of a sample of PRIME client who contacted PRIME and its partner organisations, their characteristics and their experiences in setting up their own businesses. Copy of available from PRIME

13. Older People and the Enterprise Society: Age and Self-Employment Propensities – by James Curran and Robert A Blackburn, Kingston University (2001).
Work Employment & society Vol.15, No.4,pp 889-902. Copy of available from www.sagepub.co.uk

14. Third Age Enterprise – Summary of final report commissioned by the DTI and Nat West Bank (May 2001). –by Mark Hart (SBRC, Kingston University) and Maureen O’Reilly (NIERC, Queen’s University Belfast)
This report looks at the aim of encouraging the 50+ to become self-employed and explains the success that they are havinginthisfield.The report looks at support available to this group. Please click here for a copy.

15. Prosperity not poverty: an investigation into the holdings and distribution of wealth of older British entrepreneur – by Simon C. Parker (2001).
A paper that examines the living standards of older self-employed individuals. Copy available from www.dur.ac.uk

16.Third Age Entrepreneurs – Profiting from experience – by Barclays (July 2001).
A look at people over 50 who have started up their own businesses looking at their aspirations and needs.
Copy available from - click here

17.3rd Age in SMEs: Second policy seminar – Minutes of the meeting of the British Chambers of Commerce (November 2000).
A policy paper which has a detailed look at the 3rd Age in SMEs. For a copy contact British Chambers of Commerce at 02075652049.

18. Barclays Response to the ONS Announcement that Unemployment amongst the Over Fifties Has Fallen – by Barclays (April 1999).
Falling levels of unemployment could be due to increasing levels of self-employment amongst the 50+ group. For a copy of the report contact British chambers of Commerce at 02075652049.

19. The Economic Impact of Ageing on Entrepreneurship and SMEs – by Marjolein Peters, Robert Cressey and David Storey (May 1999).
This paper addresses the questions of what makes a successful enterprise and the relation between the age of the entrepreneur and successful entrepreneurship For a copy contact Professor David Storey 024 7652 2074.

20. Entrepreneurship in the Third Age: Motivations and Constraints – by Robert Blackburn (May 1999).
This paper investigates the experiences and attitudes of those running their own businesses, attitudes of the unemployed to small business ownership, and attitudes of the employed to small business ownership. For a copy contact V.Thorne@Kingston.ac.uk. £5 Charge for printing and postage.