Motivations For Using Non-Standard Work Arrangements: A Managerial Perspective

Abstract

The study sought to identify reasons why the case global firm in Zimbabwe utilizes non-standard work arrangements. Nine research participants contributed to a qualitative study conducted at a global firm in Zimbabwe. Data was gathered from nine research participants, using face to face, semi-structured interviews. The study found several factors that motivate the case global firm in Zimbabwe to use non-standard work arrangements. The three main factors that stimulate the case global firm in Zimbabwe to utilize non-standard work arrangements, as identified by most of the research participants, include globalisation, quest for flexibility, and need to reduce costs. However, a few research participants indicated that the global firm in Zimbabwe uses non-standard work arrangements [1]to evaluate employee conduct and performance before offering them full-time contracts. The current study recommends that the case global firm in Zimbabwe should be aware that some non-standard work arrangements are linked to high marginal costs in the long run if several atypical workers are employed consecutively for shorter fixed periods. The study also recommends that workers should try to know and understand the reasons why organisations adopt non-standard work arrangements. Understanding these reasons will assist workers to decide whether to accept it or not.