Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:48:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Campos Gomes.pdf: 645904 bytes, checksum: af030022149e1ba6c2278e05b6159413 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-09 / The aim of this dissertation is to analyze the determinants and recent dynamics of self-employment in Brazil, taking as a starting point similar analysis carried out by developed countries. The methods of research consist of bibliographical research, providing the required theoretical basis, and analysis of the main sources of information over the labor market in Brazil. Among the data sources used in this work, the PME and the PNAD are highlighted, remaining in line with the main definitions of major international organizations, such as ILO. The own-account workers are used as a proxy of self-employment in Brazil. As a result of the analysis of recent self-employment s dynamics in the country, we found some similarity with the achievements observed in other nations, that are, there were reduction of self-employment, during much of the twentieth century, until the 70's, followed by a continuing growth of self-employment over the 80 s and 90 s, and a new trend raised, in the first decade of XXI century, about a new reduction of self-employment s participation in the economy. And, finally, through the analysis of some determinants of self-employment in Brazil, which are unemployment, education, age and gender, it is concluded that, generally, self-employment can be seen as a negative phenomenon in the country, tending to serve as an alternative to the worker, in the face of adverse situations found at the labor market / Esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar os determinantes e a dinâmica recente do auto-emprego no Brasil, tendo como ponto de partida análises similares realizadas nos países desenvolvidos. Como procedimentos de pesquisa, são utilizadas a pesquisa bibliográfica, fornecendo o embasamento teórico requerido, e a análise das principais fontes de informação sobre o mercado de trabalho no Brasil. Dentre as fontes de dados empregadas neste trabalho, destacam-se a PME e a PNAD, em sintonia com as principais definições de organismos internacionais importantes, como a OIT, com a utilização do trabalho por conta própria como proxy do auto-emprego no Brasil. Como resultado da análise da dinâmica recente do auto-emprego no país, verifica-se algo muito semelhante ao observado nos demais países, ou seja, redução do auto-emprego durante boa parte do século XX, até a década de 70, seguido de um crescimento contínuo do auto-emprego ao longo das décadas de 80 e 90, e uma nova tendência de redução de sua participação, na primeira década do século XXI. E, finalmente, por meio da análise de alguns determinantes do auto-emprego no Brasil, que são o desemprego, a educação, a idade e o gênero, conclui-se que, de forma geral, o auto-emprego pode ser visto como um fenômeno mais negativo no país, tendendo a servir como uma alternativa ao trabalhador, diante de situações adversas no mercado de trabalho

This essay explores the early experiences of Bangladeshi blue-collar service workers in digitalising their livelihoods. It is a qualitative study that surveys and interviews service-providers in Dhaka who use the business aggregator platform Sheba.xyz, an online service marketplace, and seeks to understand what brought these self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, previously outside the digital economy, to adopt an ICT-enabled solution. The study is guided by Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, one of the historically dominant paradigms in the field of communication for development (C4D). The overarching research question is, “Why did blue-collar service-providers in Dhaka adopt and use a digital business aggregator platform?” The aim is to explore what motivated/discouraged and enabled/hindered innovation adoption among a group of users previously marginalised from digital and financial inclusion. The findings suggest that adoption of Sheba.xyz among service-providers was not driven so much by a desire to digitalise one’s business per se, and as a means of mitigating a previous inability to do so. Rather, the factors that emerge from the qualitative data are other perceived relative advantages of the solution – of increase in customers, income, and opportunity. Survey respondents and interviewees also displayed strong affiliation with, and trust in, the platform provider; an alertness for fair treatment; and a drive to prosper, suggesting that they embraced a comprehensive concept and altered life situation where belonging, respect, and self-fulfilment matters, rather than narrowly adopted a new mobile application.