Qualitative interview study reveals that professional competencies and close personal ties sustain transitions to freelancing, indicating career capital buffers independent work risks.
Key Points
To examine how knowledge- and skill-based workers transition from salaried employment into full-time freelancing and mobilize career and bonding social capital to maintain career sustainability.
Qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews with nine full-time freelancers (N=9) in Taiwan.
Recruited participants via purposive and snowball sampling.
Analyzed qualitative interview transcripts using thematic analysis.
Transitions were driven by structural misfits and prolonged job dissatisfaction in standard employment, which established clear motivational drivers (knowing-why).
Professional expertise and professional networks (knowing-how and knowing-whom) enabled freelancers to consistently secure and sustain contract work.
Bonding social capital provided emotional and practical support that buffered risks associated with freelance career uncertainty.