Employee moonlighting: a review and research agenda

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a literature review on the emerging field of employee moonlighting, which refers to holding more than one job at a time. It also attempts to integrate the literature on employee moonlighting and present the related research themes.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a systematic literature review (SLR) using the basic guidelines of SLR. A search string is designed, and the prominent database is searched. The results are screened based on self-designed inclusion and exclusion criteria. The qualitative analysis of selected 89 research studies uses inductive thematic analysis and proposes a framework.

Findings

The outcome of the present study consists of a conceptual framework, themes and sub-themes related to employee moonlighting, propositions, and the pictorial representation of the overall outcome. The four key themes that emerged are determinants and traits of moonlighting intentions, the impact of moonlighting on employer and employee, policy, and economic implications, respectively.

Originality/value

The study provides insight into the factors that lead to moonlighting intentions and activity. The managers can understand and analyze these factors and can formulate policies to streamline the moonlighting activity with the organizational goals and for the company’s benefit. Academic scholars can adopt some research ideas from the themes and gaps suggested and can work on them in the near future.

Citation

Sharma, S. and Rautela, S. (2024), "Employee moonlighting: a review and research agenda", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 43 No. 4, pp. 491-513. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-08-2023-0251