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Boomerang independent contractors: an experimental study using a psychological contract approach

Dr. des. Laura Schärrer and Dr. Anna Sender have written a study that identifies factors that play a significant role in freelancer assignments. This has been published in the International Journal of Human Resource Management.

 

Young entrepreneur female is preparing a presentation on a laptop.
Young entrepreneur female is preparing a presentation on a laptop.

Today, more and more people work as freelancers on a project basis only. Such freelancers can create great added value for organizations. In this respect, it can be advantageous for companies to build up a pool of loyal freelancer talent who are willing to return to the company several times for projects. But how do you manage to retain such talent - despite their independent employment relationship - over the longer term?

A study by Laura Schärrer and Anna Sender published in the International Journal of Human Resource Management identified factors that play a key role in freelancer assignments. The results show that not only transactional factors (e.g. payment), but also relational factors (e.g. harmonious teamwork) have a decisive influence on freelancers' loyalty to the company.

Study in the International Journal of Human Resource Management