Stretchwork: Managing the Career Progression Paradox in External Labor Markets
Abstract
Changes in employment relationships have diminished the degree to which internal labor markets shape careers. Using comparative field studies, we examine how contract workers try to achieve career progression without the benefit of organizational guidance. Specifically, we examine how contract workers manage the career progression paradox: the problem of finding a job without prior experience. “Stretchwork” bridging from proven competencies to new ones helps reconcile this paradox. We identify four tactics used to acquire stretchwork, explore the conditions affecting the success of those tactics, and offer theoretical implications for career progression in external labor markets.
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Stretchwork could help contract workers acquire new skills continuously and advance their career outside of organizations.
“Based on studies on high-technology contract workers and film production contract workers, O'Mahony and Bechky (2006) found that stretchwork could help contract workers acquire new skills continuously and advance their career outside of organizations.”
From Gig work and gig workers: An integrative review and agenda for future research (2024) · cites this paper as O'Mahony and Bechky, 2006
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References 104 · Cited by 306
- Authors
- O'Mahony, S., & Bechky, B. A.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- Academy of Management Journal
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 2006-10
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 918-941
- ISSN
- 0001-4273 (ISSN-L)
- 1948-0989
- OpenAlex
- W2156940063
- Cited by
- 306
- References
- 104
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 12.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Journal (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Human Resource and Talent Management
- Social Sciences › Education › Higher Education and Employability
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management and Organizational Studies
- Keywords
- career development, contract workers, external labor market, internal labor markets, employment relationship, competence development
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