Factors affecting the decision to choose to become self-employed of the new generation

Abstract

This research aimed to study two primary areas concerning the new generation in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province (NST): 1) personal factors and 2) internal and external factors affecting the decision to become a freelancer. The target population consisted of individuals in NST aspiring to be freelancers. Since the exact population size was unknown, a sample of 385 participants was determined using W.G. Cochran's formula. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS for descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (One-way ANOVA, t-test, F-test, and chi-square test).

Regarding individual factors, the results showed that the majority of respondents were female (56.62%). The largest age group was 26-30 years old (26.49%). In terms of education, most participants held a bachelor's degree (22.86%), and the most common occupation was farming (18.96%).

The analysis of internal factors influencing the decision to become a freelancer revealed that several aspects were rated at a very high level: values (x ̅ = 4.59, SD = 0.933), attitude towards the career (x ̅ = 4.30, SD = 0.789), and pride in the career (x ̅ = 4.30, SD = 0.839). Furthermore, the perception of honor and reputation (x ̅ = 3.98, SD = 0.869) and understanding of people/information (x ̅ = 3.57, SD = 1.306) were rated at a high level.

As for external factors, several were rated at a high level in affecting the decision to become a freelancer. These included job characteristics (x ̅ = 4.41, SD = 0.678), market trends (x ̅ = 4.19, SD = 0.874), opportunities and advancement (x ̅ = 4.11, SD = 0.975), and compensation (x ̅ = 4.00, SD = 0.975).