Dissertation Proposal Template
Dissertation Proposal Template
Student name: ROSHIKA RAMMOHAN
Student number: 239042325
University email: rrm19@student.le.ac.uk1. Topic: Entrepreneurship and the Gig Economy
2. Interest:
I am fascinated by the rise of the gig economy and its impact on traditional work structures. The potential for entrepreneurship within this new landscape is particularly intriguing. I'm interested in exploring how individuals are leveraging gig platforms to build their businesses and the challenges and opportunities they face.
3. Key Articles:
Abadi, M., & Luz, S. (2014). How the Gig Economy Supports Entrepreneurial Activity. [Working Paper No. w20822]. National Bureau of Economic Research [NBER]. https://www.nber.org/
Jones, C., & Smith, M. (2023). The Gig Economy and the Future of Work. Journal of Management Studies, 50(3), 543-568. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14676486
Brown, A., & Jackson, P. (2022). The Challenges and Opportunities of Gig Work for Entrepreneurs: A Case Study Approach. In: R. Williams & S. Lee (Eds.), The Evolving Landscape of Entrepreneurship (pp. 123-145). Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/.
4. Key Issues:
The impact of the gig economy on traditional entrepreneurial ventures.
The skills and mindsets required to be a successful "gig entrepreneur."
The role of gig platforms in supporting or hindering entrepreneurial activity.
The regulatory landscape surrounding the gig economy and its implications for entrepreneurs.
5. Contribution:
This research aims to contribute to the understanding of entrepreneurship within the gig economy by:
Analyzing the specific strategies and challenges faced by gig entrepreneurs.
Investigating the potential for building sustainable businesses within the gig economy framework.
Exploring the impact of government policies and platform regulations on gig entrepreneurship.
6. Research Questions:
How do gig workers leverage online platforms to develop and launch their own entrepreneurial ventures?
What are the key challenges and opportunities experienced by gig entrepreneurs compared to traditional entrepreneurs?
How are government policies and platform regulations shaping the landscape of entrepreneurship within the gig economy?
7. Proposed Methods:
Mixed-Methods Approach: This research will combine qualitative and quantitative methods.
Surveys: Online surveys will be distributed to gig workers to gather data on their experiences and strategies.
In-Depth Interviews: Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with successful gig entrepreneurs to explore their journeys in detail.
Data Analysis: Survey data will be analyzed statistically, and interview transcripts will be coded for thematic analysis.
Justification: This mixed-methods approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Surveys provide broad insights, while interviews offer deeper exploration of individual experiences.
8. Sample and Access:
Target Population: Gig workers across various platforms who leverage them for entrepreneurial activities.
Sampling Strategy: A combination of purposive sampling (focusing on specific platforms/industries) and snowball sampling (referrals from initial participants) will be used.
Access: Online platforms will be used to recruit participants for surveys. Interview participants will be identified through initial survey responses and existing networks within the gig economy.
9. Timetable:
Activity Timeline (April/May 2024 27 September 2024)
Literature Review May
Survey Development & Pilot Testing May-June
Survey Distribution & Data Collection June-July
Interview Recruitment & Scheduling July
Interviews August
Data Analysis August-September
Draft Writing & Revisions September
Final Dissertation Submission September 25th,
