search query: @indexterm OUTSOURCING / total: 222
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| Author: | Muehlberger, U. |
| Title: | Hierarchical forms of outsourcing and the creation of dependency |
| Journal: | Organization Studies
2007 : VOL. 28:5, p. 709-727 |
| Index terms: | outsourcing |
| Freeterms: | hierarchies |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | The paper focuses on outsourcing activities, where the contracting worker is formally self-employed but the conditions of work are similar to those of employees. The outsourced workers are argued to be dependent on or integrated into the firm. The paper explores the mechanisms by which forms mix governance structures and give evidence of how these 'hierarchical' forms of outsourcing create dependency. Firms have established governance structures based on markets, hierarchies and self-enforcing relational contracts. It is also demonstrated that dependency is created (1) by the contractual restriction of alternative uses of resources, (2) by support measures that bind the worker closely to the outsourcing firm, (3) by relationship-specific investments made by the worker and (4) by authority elements. |
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