Second-Class Citizen? Contract Workers' Perceived Status, Dual Commitment and Intent to Quit

11 Pages Posted: 11 May 2012 Last revised: 14 Jul 2020

See all articles by Wendy R. Boswell

Wendy R. Boswell

Texas A&M University - Department of Management

Marla Baskerville Watkins

Northeastern University - Management Information Systems Area

Maria del Carmen Triana

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Asghar Zardkoohi

Texas A&M University - Department of Management

Elizabeth Umphress

Texas A&M University - Mays Business School

Run Ren

Peking University

Date Written: October 26, 2011

Abstract

Outsourcing of jobs to contract workers who work alongside a client's employees has changed the human resource landscape of many organizations. In this study we examine how a contract worker's perceived employment status similarity to the client's own standard employees influences his/her affective commitment to both the client and the employer and ultimately intent to quit the employer. Using a sample of 623 contract workers, we found strong support for our hypotheses. In particular, findings indicate an important role for perceived employment status at the client organization in driving contract worker's attitudes and that contract workers consider both the client and the employer when making decisions to leave the employer. Implications for managing contractor relationships are discussed.

Keywords: Contract workers, Organizational commitment, Status similarity, Intent to quit

Suggested Citation

Boswell, Wendy R. and Baskerville Watkins, Marla and Triana, Maria del Carmen and Zardkoohi, Asghar and Umphress, Elizabeth and Ren, Run, Second-Class Citizen? Contract Workers' Perceived Status, Dual Commitment and Intent to Quit (October 26, 2011). Journal of Vocational Behavior 80 (2011) 454-463, Mays Business School Research Paper No. 2056386, Northeastern U. D’Amore-McKim School of Business Research Paper No. 2013-07, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2056386

Wendy R. Boswell (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University - Department of Management ( email )

430 Wehner
College Station, TX 77843-4218
United States

Marla Baskerville Watkins

Northeastern University - Management Information Systems Area ( email )

Boston, MA 02115
United States

Maria del Carmen Triana

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Asghar Zardkoohi

Texas A&M University - Department of Management ( email )

430 Wehner
College Station, TX 77843-4218
United States
919-845-2043 (Phone)
919-845-9641 (Fax)

Elizabeth Umphress

Texas A&M University - Mays Business School ( email )

Wehner 401Q, MS 4353
College Station, TX 77843-4218
United States

Run Ren

Peking University ( email )

No. 38 Xueyuan Road
Haidian District
Beijing, Beijing 100871
China

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