Abstract
Purpose – Solo entrepreneurs interact with external stakeholders such as clients, financiers, government agencies and unions, yet how they perceive the fairness of these interactions is not fully understood. This study examines fairness perceptions among solo entrepreneurs towards governmental agencies, financiers, clients and unions and their associations for well-being (career satisfaction, self-rated health) and self-rated job performance. Design/methodology/approach – A survey study with solo entrepreneurs in Sweden at T1 (N = 485) and a follow-up six months later (N = 192) was conducted. Latent profile analyses were utilized and differences between profiles of fairness perceptions were tested. Findings – Four distinct fairness profiles were identified: “Unfair”, “Fair”, “Financiers and Government Fair”, and “Average Fair”. These profiles differed significantly in career satisfaction, self-rated health and job performance at both timepoints. Some differences between profiles in demographic and business characteristics were found. Findings highlight the particular importance of fairness perceptions in relation to government agencies and financial entities for solo entrepreneurs’ well-being and performance. Originality/value – This study underscores the role of perceived fairness in fostering a healthy and productive entrepreneurial environment, offering insights for stakeholders aiming to promote sustainable entrepreneurship.