Nonstandard work arrangements and configurations of firm and societal systems

Abstract

In this study, we proposed and empirically confirmed that the use of nonstandard working arrangements (NSWAs) varies according to firm system and societal cluster. Utilizing the configurational, institutional and cultural perspectives, we explored antecedents to the use of four NSWAs across firms in six countries, expanding the scope of variables examined in relation to NSWAs and capturing context as a way of broadening the theory base on the subject. We found a tendency toward greater use of NSWAs among firm systems that foster internal socialization and career advancement over time as well as national contexts that promote employment protection and/or Institutional Collectivism. Finally, we found national context to be a significant determinant of firm system, reinforcing the importance of aligning national with organizational-level antecedents to the study of NSWAs.

Keywords::

• comparative HRM
• configurational approach
• firm system
• societal system
• working time arrangements

Acknowledgements

We thank our colleagues from the different countries who allowed us to use their country data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

^1. The Anglo and Nordic as societal systems have many commonalities. They belong to Western Europe, are both considered low in power distance and in-group collectivism and score high on performance orientation (House et al., 2002). Furthermore, their gender egalitarianism scores are only moderately different. However, they differ substantially in Institutional Collectivism and employment protection.