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Management Communication Quarterly
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Falling between the Cracks

Control and Communication Challenges of a Temporary Workforce

Loril M. Gossett

University of Texas at Austin, lgossett{at}mail.utexas.edu

Temporary workers are part of the quickly expanding and maturing contingent labor industry. Through observations of industry practice and worker self-reports, this study illustrates some of the control and identification challenges created by this particular work arrangement. Temporary workers receive directives from both their staffing agency and the clients that contract for their labor. Sometimes these messages are contradictory and force temps to choose between the interests of the two organizations. This study argues that the coexistence of multiple management systems results in the creation of a loose net of organizational control, which both enables and constrains the actions of temporary workers.

Key Words: control • temporary workers • contingent labor • identification • resistance

Management Communication Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 3, 376-415 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0893318905280327
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 Management Communication QuarterlyHome page
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