Signaling, selection and transition: empirical evidence on stepping-stones and vicious cycles in temporary agency work

Hopp, Christian; Minten, Axel; Toporova, Nevena (2016). Signaling, selection and transition: empirical evidence on stepping-stones and vicious cycles in temporary agency work The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(5), pp. 527-547. Taylor & Francis 10.1080/09585192.2015.1020444

Text Signaling selection and transition empirical evidence on stepping stones and vicious cycles in temporary agency work.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (698kB) | Request a copy

Despite the growing importance of temporary work agencies, the benefits they bring to temporary agency employees (TAEs) are still disputed, and empirical findings are, by and large, mixed. Using a unique dataset comprising almost 12,000 TAEs on their first and second temporary work assignments, this work aims at disentangling the consequences of temporary agency work on the level of the individual TAE in Germany. We find that temporary agency work assignments act as learning devices for employers about the underlying ability of TAEs. High ability employees can show their qualities and fit with the organization with the time spent on temporary work assignments, albeit at decreasing rates. In addition, we find that if a TAE is assigned to a subsequent project after the first one, it is less likely that the employee transitions into permanent employment. Hence, we conclude that a division exists among TAEs: where the high ability employee may find it a stepping-stone to a desired permanent position, and others get trapped in it and have a hard time transitioning into permanent employment.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	Business School > Business Foundations and Methods
Name:	Hopp, Christian0000-0002-4095-092X; Minten, Axel and Toporova, Nevena
ISSN:	0958-5192
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Language:	English
Submitter:	Christian Hopp
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2020 16:23
Last Modified:	26 Sep 2021 02:18
Publisher DOI:	10.1080/09585192.2015.1020444
Uncontrolled Keywords:	employer signaling; selection effects; stigmatization; temporary agency work
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.11996
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/11996