Who Contracts? Determinants of the Decision to Work as an Independent contractor among Information Technology Workers
Abstract
We examined which IT workers take jobs as independent contractors. Contracting offers less job security and less employer-provided training than regular employment. We base our predictions of which workers contract on how their preferences and resources match such jobs. Using career history data, we found that the likelihood of contracting increases with skill levels and presence of negative cues, and falls (for men) with family responsibilities. Contracting is more likely among workers whose careers are either just beginning or well advanced; the latter group also remains in contracting longer. These findings have implications for benefits, skills development, and income security policies.
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Information technology workers whose careers are advanced are more likely to work and stay as independent contractors, as they have more power in the market and have more to gain by contracting.
“Similarly, Bidwell and Briscoe (2009) found that information technology workers whose careers are advanced are more likely to work and stay as independent contractors, as they have more power in the market and have more to gain by contracting (Bidwell & Briscoe, 2009).”
From Gig work and gig workers: An integrative review and agenda for future research (2024) · cites this paper as Bidwell and Briscoe (2009)
Negative events in organizational settings could trigger or force traditional workers to move to contracting.
“Negative events in the organizational settings could trigger or force traditional workers to move to contracting.”
From Gig work and gig workers: An integrative review and agenda for future research (2024) · cites this paper as Bidwell & Briscoe, 2009
Information technology workers whose careers are advanced are more likely to work and stay as independent contractors, as they have more power in the market and have more to gain by contracting.
“Similarly, Bidwell and Briscoe (2009) found that information technology workers whose careers are advanced are more likely to work and stay as independent contractors, as they have more power in the market and have more to gain by contracting (Bidwell & Briscoe, 2009).”
From Gig work and gig workers: An integrative review and agenda for future research (2024) · cites this paper as Bidwell & Briscoe, 2009
Cites
I-Deals: Idiosyncratic Terms in Employment Relationships
Rousseau, D. M., Ho, V. T., & Greenberg, J. (2006) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.2006.22527470 · Cited by 652 · see citing works
Rosenbaum, J. E., Kariya, T., Settersten, R., & Maier, T. (1990) · Annual Review of Sociology · doi:10.1146/annurev.so.16.080190.001403 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
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Methodological Urban Legends: The Misuse of Statistical Control Variables
Spector, P. E., & Brannick, M. T. (2011) · Organizational Research Methods · doi:10.1177/1094428110369842 · Cited by 1,146 · see citing works
Gig work and gig workers: An integrative review and agenda for future research
Wu, D., & Huang, J. L. (2024) · Journal of Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1002/job.2775 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
The influence of independent contractors on organizational effectiveness: A review
Flinchbaugh, C., Zare, M., Chadwick, C., Li, P., & Essman, S. (2020) · Human Resource Management Review · doi:10.1016/j.hrmr.2019.01.002 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Temporary employment and voice behavior: the role of self‐efficacy and political savvy
Qian, X., Li, Q., Song, Y., & Wang, J. (2020) · Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources · doi:10.1111/1744-7941.12232 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
- Authors
- Bidwell, M. J., & Briscoe, F.
- Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Venue
- Academy of Management Journal
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 2009-12
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1148-1168
- ISSN
- 0001-4273 (ISSN-L)
- 1948-0989
- OpenAlex
- W2112227387
- Cited by
- 99
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 17.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Journal (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Digital Economy and Work Transformation
- Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Labor market dynamics and wage inequality
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Employment, Labor, and Gender Studies
- Keywords
- independent contracting, IT professionals, job security, employer-provided training, history of work, skill level, family responsibilities, gender differences, career development, income security
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