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Flexible working conditions and decreasing levels of trust

Sven Svensson (Department of Social Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden)

Employee Relations

ISSN: 0142-5455

Article publication date: 1 January 2012

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse levels of generalized trust among employees who have adapted to increasing demands for flexibility in their working lives (nonstandard work) compared with employees in traditional employment (standard work).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire distributed to randomly selected individuals in Sweden (2004, n=5,080) and a workplace survey study of temporary agency workers (2008, n=119). Data were analysed using chi‐square tests and logistic regression analysis.

Findings

The results reveal that people in nonstandard positions display significantly lower levels of generalized trust compared to standard employees, where age, gender, and socio‐economic position are constant.

Practical implications

Since trust has proved to be a prerequisite for innovativeness, and both flexibility and innovation are officially accepted solutions for the troubles of post‐industrial society, the findings point to a possible paradox in the “new economy”.

Originality/value

The results of this study are unique in that they provide valuable support for the theory that flexible working conditions lead to decreasing levels of trust in society.

Keywords

Citation

Svensson, S. (2012), "Flexible working conditions and decreasing levels of trust", Employee Relations, Vol. 34 No. 2, pp. 126-137. https://doi.org/10.1108/01425451211191850

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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