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Uncovering and Explaining Variance in the Features and Outcomes of Contingent Work

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  • Brenda A. Lautsch

Abstract

Existing research tends to depict contingent work either as having similar implications for firms and workers in all settings or as varying in its implications depending only on contingent workers' occupation or personal characteristics. In contrast, the author of this paper identifies systematic differences in contingent jobs across organizational contexts that are due to the strategies and practices of management. She uses internal labor market theory and data collected from two comparative case studies, both conducted in 1996–97, to develop four distinct models of how contingent work may be managed. Each of the contingent employment subsystems had distinct practices—related to job definitions, wage rules, and deployment through career ladders—put in place by management in response to technological factors and performance objectives. Each also raised challenges for integrating regular and contingent workers and generated trade-offs for both groups of workers as well as for the firm.

Suggested Citation

  • Brenda A. Lautsch, 2002. "Uncovering and Explaining Variance in the Features and Outcomes of Contingent Work," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 56(1), pages 23-43, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:56:y:2002:i:1:p:23-43
    DOI: 10.1177/001979390205600102
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katharine G. Abraham, 1988. "Flexible Staffing Arrangements and Employers' Short-Term Adjustment Strategies," NBER Working Papers 2617, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Peter D. Sherer & Nikolai Rogovsky & Norman Wright, 1998. "What Drives Employment Relationships in Taxicab Organizations? Linking Agency to Firm Capabilities and Strategic Opportunities," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 9(1), pages 34-48, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Valeria Pulignano & Andrea Signoretti, 2016. "Union Strategies, National Institutions and the Use of Temporary Labour in Italian and US Plants," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(3), pages 574-596, September.
    2. Benjamin Bittschi & Astrid Pennerstorfer & Ulrike Schneider, 2015. "Paid and Unpaid Labour in Non-Profit Organizations: Does the Substitution Effect Exist?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 53(4), pages 789-815, December.
    3. Peter H. Cappelli & JR Keller, 2013. "A Study of the Extent and Potential Causes of Alternative Employment Arrangements," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 66(4), pages 874-901, July.
    4. repec:elg:eechap:14770_1 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Peter Cappelli & J. R. Keller, 2012. "A Study of the Extent and Potential Causes of Alternative Employment Arrangements," NBER Working Papers 18376, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Genevieve Knight & Zhang Wei, 2015. "Isolating the Determinants of Temporary Agency Worker Use by Firms: An Analysis of Temporary Agency Workers in Australian Aged Care," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 18(2), pages 205-237.
    7. Byoung-Hoon LEE & Dong-Bab KIM & Joonmq CHO, 2005. "Union Effect On The Use Of Non-Regular Labor In The Republic Of Korea," The Developing Economies, Institute of Developing Economies, vol. 43(4), pages 425-449, December.

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