Entrepreneurial job development: A case study with a person with schizophrenia

Abstract

People with schizophrenia face significant disadvantage in the labour market leading to high levels of unemployment. In response to this situation more employer-focused approaches to job placement have been proposed, including entrepreneurial job development. This case study examined the entrepreneurial job development approach in establishing an employment relationship between a person with schizophrenia and an employer. Data were collected from the employer and the employee using semi-structured audiotaped interviews, logbooks and member checks over a nine-month period. Five meta-themes were identified that included: (1) strong 'employer focus' during the job development process; (2) 'employee assets' that were brought to the employment relationship; (3) 'workplace relationships' and their impact on the success of the placement; (4) focus on the 'career development' needs of the employee; and (5) 'satisfaction' of both participants with the job development process and employment relationship. The entrepreneurial job development approach was found to be effective in assisting the jobseeker to develop a potentially long-term, employment relationship with the employer through the creation of a new position that met a 'business need'.