This study investigates self-employment in South Africa focusing particularly on earnmgs differences among the self-employed. A large earnings gap is present among Blacks and Whites in self-employment and the study examines how much of this earnings gap is attributable to differences in observed characteristics of the self-employed, and how much derives from differences in the returns to these observed characteristics. I estimate earnings equations using data from the September 2004 Labour Force Survey and find that variables representing individual, household and employment characteristics of the self-employed are determining part of their earnings. Using the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition technique, I however, establish that only 55 percent of the earnings differential between Blacks and Whites in self-employment is attributable to differences in observed characteristics. The remainder of the earnings differential may reflect the effects of omitted (unobserved) characteristics, or it may reflect differences in the returns to observed characteristics. Different returns to endowments may be the results of discrimination among the self-employed, including consumer discrimination and discrimination in access to credit or product markets. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-181). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-144).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1975. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 267-271).

Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

No description available.

The decisions of the self-employed are of empirical interest because these individuals report their income under the personal income tax system. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the personal income tax system is the biggest source of revenue for the government. In this paper I use data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) to analyze the effect that The Tax Reform Act of 1986 had on the decision to become or remain self-employed. To accomplish this I will use a simple difference method that compares the movement between employment groups in the aftermath of The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (treatment period) to the movement between employment groups before this tax legislation was enacted (control period). I find that The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA86) had an adverse effect on self-employment and actually caused more unemployment.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Texas at Dallas, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-178)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Open University. BLDSC no. DX222753.