Residential Mobility of Older Adults in the Dutch Housing Market: Do Individual Characteristics and Housing Attributes Have an Effect on Mobility?

The ageing of the population will change many societies in unprecedented ways. The changing age composition does not only create a burden on existing income systems and health care systems, but also affects the geographical mobility of populations. The objective of this paper is to provide some first insights into the moving behaviour of older adults in the Netherlands. By using data of the Housing Research Netherlands (HRN) 2009 survey, it was possible to investigate whether or not later-life residential mobility is influenced by individual characteristics and housing attributes. The responses of migrants and non-migrants are compared by conducting several two-way-chi-square analyses. The results of these descriptive analyses demonstrate that migrants indeed differ from non-migrants and that these differences are mostly related to housing attributes

Between Welfare and Farewell:The role of welfare systems in intra-European migration decisions

In my thesis, I studied how and to what extent intra-European migration decisions are influenced by welfare systems in both origin and destination countries. In the scientific literature as well as in public debates, migrants are expected to move towards destinations with a generous welfare system. My research however shows that the impact of welfare systems is much more complex than a general ‘magnet’ and depends on the way individuals may be affected by them. Many EU migrants move in life stages when they are least reliant on welfare state arrangements, and often leave the host country before gaining full access to its welfare system. Although I found little evidence for welfare state arrangements as a main motivation for migration, my research indicates that the welfare system may facilitate intra-European migration by providing protection against uncertainty and risks involved in the migration project. Even young, highly educated individuals appeared less willing to migrate in the absence of the safety net the welfare system provides. With freedom of movement as one of the fundamental principles of the EU, measures that restrict EU migrants’ welfare access can therefore be perceived as contrasting the aims of the European Commission. Finally, my research indicates that welfare state arrangements influence migration decisions mainly through the way they are experienced in the country of residence. Thus, whereas previous research mainly focused on an attracting impact of the welfare system in the destination country, my thesis underlines the importance of welfare state arrangements in the origin country

Later-Life Migration in The Netherlands:Propensity to Move and Residential Mobility

As the populations age, there is a growing potential for later-life migration. In this study, the residential moving behavior of older adults in the Netherlands is examined. On the basis of pooled data from the Housing Research Netherlands (HRN) survey, we were able to reveal which factors are likely to influence considerations about moving and actual mobility. The results support the premise that residential mobility decreases with age. The strongest predictors of actual mobility were factors associated with the dwelling, while the neighborhood, particularly the extent of social cohesiveness, played a substantial role in explaining the older adults’ propensity to move

No place like home?:Residential mobility and housing preferences of older adults in the Netherlands

This thesis is set against a background of rapid population ageing and the impending retirement of the baby boomer generation. The related changes in the number and proportion of older adults in our population will have numerous implications. One associated issue is the provision of (suitable) housing for older adults. In order to successfully plan housing provision, knowledge about the housing preferences of older adults is crucial. The aim of this thesis has been to provide an understanding of the factors influencing residential mobility and housing preferences of older adults. In particular, it has focused on the possible differences in residential choice behaviour among (future) older adults. To gain an understanding of the residential moving behaviour, the age-articulated interregional migration flows in the Netherlands and the factors likely to influence considerations about moving and actual mobility, were analysed using pooled data from Housing Research Netherlands (HRN) surveys from 2006 to 2012. In order to assess the relative importance that older adults give to various housing characteristics, a conjoint choice experiment was set up in Groningen, The Netherlands in 2011. Lastly, a lifestyle segmenting approach was used to determine meaningful segments of older adults with (more or less) the same viewpoints, motivations and attitude with respect to housing

Strategic Decision-Making in Small Firms: Towards a Taxonomy of Entrepreneurial Decision-Makers

Most changes in firms take place after a decision has been made. Despite that small firms are no exception to this, previous research into decision-making processes have left this subject uncharted. There are many studies with a focus on the decision-making process by managers in large firms, but only a few have paid attention to entrepreneurs in small businesses. The current study empirically investigated and identifies different types of entrepreneurial decision-makers. Drawing on a database of 646 entrepreneurs, five types of decision-makers are distinguished: Dare Devils, Lone Rangers, Doubtful Minds, Informers? Friends and Busy Bees. Implications for future research are discussed.