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Researchers from the University of Sussex Business School have developed a new methodological framework to better understand how entrepreneurship can influence social mobility.

Starting a business is often seen as a way to achieve financial independence and build a better future. But how can we tell whether becoming an entrepreneur really helps people improve their position in society?

New research published in Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice explores the challenges of answering this question.

The study was co-authored by Dr Elsa Chan, Dr Ngoc Luu and Professor Mirela Xheneti from the University of Sussex Business School, alongside Professor Steven Brieger from NEOMA Business School in France and Dr Marii Paskov from the University of Bristol.

The research highlights why measuring the impact of entrepreneurship on people's social mobility is more complicated than simply looking at how much money they earn. It identifies several challenges in studying social mobility in entrepreneurship and proposes a multidimensional framework that examines not only income and wealth, but also other mobility dimensions such as status and personal experiences, as well as household and family dynamics.

The researchers further argue that income, wealth, status, or perceived position may not always change in the same way. For example, an entrepreneur may earn less than they would in employment while simultaneously experiencing greater autonomy or social recognition. Conversely, higher income does not always translate into higher social status.

To address these challenges, the paper provides a methodological roadmap for studying how entrepreneurship shapes social mobility over time. It emphasises the importance of considering multiple dimensions of mobility and using both quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture the complexity of entrepreneurial social mobility.

What this means for businesses and society

The framework can help future research generate stronger evidence for policymakers and organisations that support entrepreneurs.

By offering a more comprehensive way to understand entrepreneurial mobility, it can also support future research on inequality, inclusion and access to opportunity, helping to identify who benefits from entrepreneurship, who faces barriers and how those experiences evolve.

The research reflects the University of Sussex Business School's commitment to addressing real-world challenges, including inequality, access to opportunity and social mobility.

Read the full research article: How Can We Research Social Mobility in Entrepreneurship?