Self-Employed Entrepreneurs’ Digital Mindset

Three research questions are addressed: (1) Is there a digital mindset gap between self-employed entrepreneurs and employees in general regarding digital communication and cooperation tools, (2) if yes, what are the differences in the digital mindset gap, (3) and finally, what can explain the digital mindset gap? The work method is a repeated survey, where answers are statistically compared to illuminate the digital mindset gap on various parameters including possible explanations of these gaps. The digital mindset gap is identified regarding the future use of experiences and competencies, work structure, digital behavior, attitude toward online meetings, financial and new project engagement, and professional social networks and communities. On all these differences self-employed entrepreneurs have a higher digital mindset than employees in general. However, in digital literacy, job satisfaction, and well-being, there are no significant differences between the entrepreneurs and employees, thus excluding this as an explanation for the digital mindset gap.