Perspective on Slovakia’s Freelancers in Sharing Economy – Case Study

Abstract

In this paper, we provide an overview of freelancers from a Slovakian perspective. Our purpose specifically is to provide an insight into the field of freelancing in a sharing economy and to offer general guidelines for beginner freelancers. The paper reviews survey data on users of freelancers in Slovakia on the basis of literature reviews and survey data. It illustrates that freelancers comprise a skilled, specialised workforce that enables businesses to reduce their dependence on full-time employees. It also reviews the freelancers’ barriers to entry, risk and financial requirements, while they enhance their skills and improve their business agility, flexibility and efficiency. Freelancers are an important input that enables innovative and entrepreneurial economies. Possible barriers to freelancing are discussed, paying attention to demands on freelancers, e.g. lack of stable income and boundaries between work and privacy, irreplaceability and getting paid on time. The results indicate that freelancing in Slovakia is on the increase, and most freelancers are specialists, predominantly university-educated, highly-qualified professionals, using modern technology with smaller numbers of clients. The four key features for success in freelancing are a good reputation, expertise, reliability and contacts.