To read this content please select one of the options below:

Exploring dilemmas in the relation between temporary help agencies and customer firms

Torstein Nesheim (Institute for Research in Economics and Business Administration, Bergen, Norway)
Ruth Rørvik (Institute for Research in Economics and Business Administration, Bergen, Norway)

Personnel Review

ISSN: 0048-3486

Article publication date: 1 January 2013

595

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore how transactions between temporary agencies and customer firms are organised. It aims to describe various cooperative arrangements and identify three dilemmas in the organisations of such transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study based on interviews with ten temporary help agencies, two internal resource pools and three customer firms.

Findings

First, the authors identify different collaboration modes, and analyse how transactions between a temporary help agency (THA) and a customer firm are organised; ranging from ad hoc transactions, through framework agreements to internal resource pools. Second, they describe three dilemmas in such transactions; the pros‐and‐cons of framework agreements; close vs distant relations; and intermediaries' balancing act between the two stakeholders: employees and customers.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the study is that the sample size is low and the findings cannot be generalised statistically.

Practical implications

The study informs the parties (THA and customer firm) of the many possibilities in organising their transactions, as well as the challenges/dilemmas/advantages involved.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first that analyses how temporary labour transactions between customer firms and intermediaries are organised. It describes the various ways in which such transactions are organised, and describes three dilemmas for the firms involved.

Keywords

Citation

Nesheim, T. and Rørvik, R. (2013), "Exploring dilemmas in the relation between temporary help agencies and customer firms", Personnel Review, Vol. 42 No. 1, pp. 67-82. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483481311285237

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles