Title

The influence of independent contractors on organizational effectiveness: A review

Authors

Carol Flinchbaugh, New Mexico State University
Mortaza Zare, University of Texas Permian Basin
Clint Chadwick, University of Kansas
Pingshu Li, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Spencer Essman, University of South Carolina - Columbia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2020

Abstract

The use of independent contractors has steadily increased over the past two decades. However, relatively little research has examined contractors' effectiveness and the studies that do often report contradictory findings of contractors' value. The inconsistent findings result from the broad definition of effectiveness employed in these studies, stretched across various types of

nonstandard workers (including contract, part-time, seasonal, and temporary work) and both individual- and firm-levels of analysis. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative review is to untangle the empirical findings on contractor effectiveness for both workers and firms. We adapt Meyer, Becker, and Van Dick's (2006) integrative model of situated and deep structure identities to organize current findings on contractor effectiveness in three categories, namely contractor attitudes and behaviors, operational outcomes, and firm financial outcomes. Our effectiveness model further highlights how select identity-relevant social influences and situational contingencies impact contractor effectiveness. We conclude with research and practical implications of the model of contractor effectiveness.

Recommended Citation

Carol Flinchbaugh, Mortaza Zare, Clint Chadwick, Pingshu Li, Spenser Essman, The influence of independent contractors on organizational effectiveness: A review, Human Resource Management Review, Volume 30, Issue 2, 2020, 100681, ISSN 1053-4822, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2019.01.002.