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Understanding the development of temporary agency work in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Koene, B.A.S.
  • Paauwe, J.
  • Groenewegen, J.P.M.

Abstract

This article develops an explanatory framework for understanding the growth and development of temporary agency work (TAW) and the related industry. The analysis shows that explanations based on economic logic are helpful in understanding the choice of TAW in general. These explanations, however, fall short when trying to explain the growth of agency work over time or the variation in its use among European countries. To cope with these shortcomings, we extend our explanatory base to include a variety of sociocultural dynamics. Our analysis shows how deep-seated national work-related values ('deep embeddedness') affect the way TAW is regulated nationally. It also demonstrates how differences in more changeable norms, attitudes and practices ('dynamic embeddedness') affect the process of embedding agency work as a societally acceptable phenomenon, providing a basis for its subsequent proliferation.

Suggested Citation

  • Koene, B.A.S. & Paauwe, J. & Groenewegen, J.P.M., 2004. "Understanding the development of temporary agency work in Europe," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2004-086-ORG, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    • Handle: RePEc:ems:eureri:1803
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oliver E. Williamson, 2000. "The New Institutional Economics: Taking Stock, Looking Ahead," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 38(3), pages 595-613, September.
    2. Jens Beckert, 2003. "Economic Sociology and Embeddedness: How Shall We Conceptualize Economic Action?," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(3), pages 769-787, September.
    3. John Mangan, 2000. "Workers Without Traditional Employment," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1963.
    4. Susan N. Houseman & Arne L. Kalleberg & George A. Erickcek, 2001. "The Role of Temporary Help Employment in Tight Labor Markets," Upjohn Working Papers 01-73, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    5. Oliver E. Williamson & Michael L. Wachter & Jeffrey E. Harris, 1975. "Understanding the Employment Relation: The Analysis of Idiosyncratic Exchange," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 6(1), pages 250-278, Spring.
    6. Nelson, Richard R. & Sampat, Bhaven N., 2001. "Making sense of institutions as a factor shaping economic performance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 31-54, January.
    7. Susan N. Houseman & Arne L. Kalleberg & George A. Erickcek, 2003. "The Role of Temporary Agency Employment in Tight Labor Markets," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 57(1), pages 105-127, October.
    8. Ludo Struyven & Geert Steurs, 2003. "The Competitive Market for Employment Services in the Netherlands," OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers 13, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mike Zhang & Timothy Bartram & Nicola McNeil & Peter Dowling, 2015. "Towards a Research Agenda on the Sustainable and Socially Responsible Management of Agency Workers Through a Flexicurity Model of HRM," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 127(3), pages 513-523, March.
    2. Rutvica Andrijasevic & Devi Sacchetto, 2017. "‘Disappearing workers’: Foxconn in Europe and the changing role of temporary work agencies," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 31(1), pages 54-70, February.
    3. Grip Andries de & Sieben Inge & Jaarsveld Danielle van, 2006. "Labour Market Segmentation Revisited: A Study of the Dutch Call Centre Sector," ROA Working Paper 007, Maastricht University, Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA).
    4. Vanselow, Achim & Weinkopf, Claudia, 2009. "Zeitarbeit in europäischen Ländern: Lehren für Deutschland?," Arbeitspapiere 182, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior
    • M - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation

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