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Employers’ perception of downsides to flexible staffing arrangements: exploring the role of strategic motives

Rouvroye,Lin
; 
van Dalen,Hendrik Peter
; 
Henkens,K.
; 
Schippers,J.J.
Abstract
Purpose Flexible staffing arrangements have become a permanent feature of employment in many industrial societies. This article examines how employers perceive the consequences of using flexible staffing arrangements. It presents and assesses theoretically informed hypotheses on organisational situations in which negative consequences are more likely to be perceived. Design/methodology/approach This study uses data (n = 761) from a bespoke employers survey, fielded in the Netherlands in 2019. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to measure and explain employers' perception of downsides to flexible staffing arrangements. Findings Employers report distinct downsides to the use of flexible staffing arrangements in terms of performance, management and employee well-being. Model estimates show that employers using flexible staffing arrangements to acquire specific expertise or to follow other organisations in their sector perceive more downsides. Originality/value Empirical research on employers' perception of the disadvantageous consequences of using flexible staffing arrangements is scarce. This article highlights that this practice can discourage investments in human capital and lead to a sense of insecurity among young workers. It draws attention to the relevance of distinguishing between strategic motives when trying to understand organisational behaviour regarding non-standard forms of employment.
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Publisher Copyright: © 2023, Lin Rouvroye, Hendrik P. van Dalen, Kène Henkens and Joop J. Schippers.
Date
2023-12
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Tilburg University Research Output Collection
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Keywords
Employers, Flexible contracts, Human resource management, Non-standard employment, SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Citation
Rouvroye, L, van Dalen, H P, Henkens, K & Schippers, J J 2023, 'Employers’ perception of downsides to flexible staffing arrangements: exploring the role of strategic motives', International Journal of Manpower, vol. 44, no. 9, pp. 72-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-06-2021-0341
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14602/79259
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