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Job quality in triadic employment relations: Work attitudes of Norwegian temporary help agency employees

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  • Kalleberg, Arne L.
  • Nesheim, Torstein
  • Olsen, Karen M.

Abstract

In this article we examine job quality and job satisfaction among employees of temporary help agencies (THAs) in Norway. Temporary workers are subject to triadic employment relations as they are employed by the THA but directed by the client organization; characteristics of both of these organizations may affect job satisfaction directly and indirectly through job rewards. Our data are based on a survey of a representative sample of workers employed by THAs (N=2678). We find that job quality is greater when: agency workers possess an asset that is valuable to the client firm; there are not conflicting demands on the temporary worker from the THA and the client firm; and employees prefer to work as temporaries. Autonomy, pay satisfaction, intrinsic rewards, and security are associated with job satisfaction after controlling for the features of triadic employment relations.

Suggested Citation

  • Kalleberg, Arne L. & Nesheim, Torstein & Olsen, Karen M., 2015. "Job quality in triadic employment relations: Work attitudes of Norwegian temporary help agency employees," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 362-374.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:31:y:2015:i:3:p:362-374
    DOI: 10.1016/j.scaman.2015.03.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Beynon, Huw & Grimshaw, Damian & Rubery, Jill & Ward, Kevin, 2002. "Managing Employment Change: The New Realities of Work," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199248704.
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    6. Jahn, Elke J. & Rosholm, Michael, 2014. "Looking beyond the bridge: The effect of temporary agency employment on labor market outcomes," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 108-125.
    7. Jill Rubery & Carilyn Carroll & Fang Lee Cooke & Irena Grugulis & Jill Earnshaw, 2004. "Human Resource Management and the Permeable Organization: The Case of the Multi‐Client Call Centre," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(7), pages 1199-1222, November.
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    2. Patel, Pankaj C., 2025. "Unlocking the potential: Examining Chile’s 2007 temporary worker labor reform as a key to boosting productivity in micro-firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).

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