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1 – 10 of over 1000Mansoor Ahmed and Lorenzo Lucianetti
The research study provides empirical insights on the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership (EL), entrepreneurial passion for founding (EPF), entrepreneurial bricolage…
Abstract
Purpose
The research study provides empirical insights on the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership (EL), entrepreneurial passion for founding (EPF), entrepreneurial bricolage (EB) and project success (PS), in the case of freelancers. The study aims to get a better understanding of whether freelancers, who behave like entrepreneurial leaders, can successfully complete projects through EB.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected data from 209 freelancers through snowball sampling, in two waves, with a time-lag of fourteen days, to better examine the causality of variables. Data were analyzed by Model No. 4 and 7 (i.e. mediation and moderation, respectively) of Process macro.
Findings
Drawing on the effectuation theory, the results show that EB mediates the relationship between EL and PS and EPF moderates this relationship.
Practical implications
The freelancers can formally establish businesses later, after knowing whether they can complete these new types of projects. These online freelancing platforms can provide special services to freelancers who first want to test their skills on unrelated projects. In sum, the paper suggests that freelancers can be successful entrepreneurial leaders.
Originality/value
The EL, EPF, EB and PS are studied in the context of the informal sector, i.e. freelancing, which is the emerging working style in the world. It provides an in-depth understanding of phenomena in freelancers that lacks background literature.
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Keren Caspin-Wagner, Silvia Massini and Arie Y. Lewin
This chapter discusses the phenomenon of online marketplaces for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and highlights its effect on knowledge creation and…
Abstract
This chapter discusses the phenomenon of online marketplaces for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and highlights its effect on knowledge creation and innovation through on-demand contract employment and problem solving of scientific challenges by online communities of experts globally. In particular, the authors discuss the key dynamics and events driving the development of the online marketplaces for innovation. Relying on data from various online platforms, including novel data from one of the world’s largest online platforms, the chapter characterizes the phenomenon, including the geographic dispersion of users and distribution of income, and discusses important implications and challenges for research and development (R&D) and innovation management in organizations. These include the need to develop new organizational and managerial capabilities, intellectual property (IP) protection issues, the ability of balancing internal and external innovation processes, and implications on the changing identity of R&D workers.
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Keerti Shukla and Musarrat Shaheen
This study investigates the relationship between self-leadership and the work performance of gig workers as moderated by perceived organizational support and mediated by work…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the relationship between self-leadership and the work performance of gig workers as moderated by perceived organizational support and mediated by work engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
Linear regression and the Process macro by Hayes were used to examine the hypothesized model, on a data set of 384 gig workers.
Findings
The outcomes indicated a positive relationship between the self-leadership strategies of the freelancers and their work performance. The association of self-leadership and work performance was moderated by perceived organizational support and partially mediated by work engagement.
Originality/value
This study responds to the need for exploration of the moderation and mediating mechanisms through which self-leadership influences how gig workers perform at work.
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Melody Barlage, Arjan van den Born and Arjen van Witteloostuijn
More and more workers in Western economies are operating as freelancers in the so-called “gig economy”, moving from one project – or gig – to the next. A lively debate revolves…
Abstract
More and more workers in Western economies are operating as freelancers in the so-called “gig economy”, moving from one project – or gig – to the next. A lively debate revolves around the question as to whether this new employment relationship is actually good for innovation in the 21 st century economy. Proponents argue that in this gig process valuable knowledge is created and transferred from one organization to the next via freelancers through their sequence of temporary gigs or projects. Antagonists reason that freelancers are only hired as one-trick ponies on a transactional basis, where knowledge is neither created nor shared. In this study, we focus on the characteristics of gigs. Which project characteristics lead to increased engagement of freelancers, and hence to knowledge-sharing behavior? Our study suggests that the gig economy can indeed lead to increased knowledge sharing by and engagement of freelance workers, provided that organizations and freelancers structure and shape gigs in such a way that they: (1) not only suit the task requirements at hand and (2) fit with the acquired skills of the freelancer, but that these gigs also (3) leave ample of room for the freelancer’s individual growth and development of new skills. This suggests that innovative organizations will need to shape gigs in such a way that freelancers are not only hired for their expertise, but rather that gigs also provide a learning opportunity for freelancers.
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Freelancers are a growing population of working adults with limited to no organizational support. Yet, their strategies to navigate job search, especially in turbulent times, are…
Abstract
Purpose
Freelancers are a growing population of working adults with limited to no organizational support. Yet, their strategies to navigate job search, especially in turbulent times, are unknown. To address this gap, the author hypothesized and examined a sequential mediation model whereby freelancer protean career orientation (PCO) influences job search strategies through career competencies (i.e. knowing why, how and with whom to work) and job search self-efficacy (JSSE).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a sample of 87 Canadian freelancers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings
The results supported the sequential mediation from PCO to job search strategies through two of the career competencies (knowing why and how) and JSSE. The mediating role of knowing whom was not supported.
Practical implications
Policy makers and learning institutions can provide freelancers with opportunities to develop transferable skills through massive open online courses (MOOCs). Employers of freelancers can design motivating jobs that provide freelancers with on-the-job learning and development opportunities.
Social implications
The insignificant mediating role of knowing whom (i.e. professional networks) implies that large networks might not be necessarily beneficial in times of crisis. Thus, the role of networks might be more complex than the literature has proposed.
Originality/value
This study brings into focus an overlooked population of workers: freelancers. It investigates a sequential mediation through which freelancer PCO impacts job search strategies. In addition, it compares the effectiveness of career competencies in unfolding the proposed sequential mediation.
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Naveed Ul Haq, Ammar Aftab Raja, Safia Nosheen and Muhammad Faisal Sajjad
The purpose of this paper is to identify the major factors of client satisfaction (CS) that are critical for web development projects in freelance marketplaces. This quantitative…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the major factors of client satisfaction (CS) that are critical for web development projects in freelance marketplaces. This quantitative study is done from the point of view of the web development services clients. Five major dimensions were proposed as determinants of CS from the literature review: ease of use, user interface, information, security and privacy.
Design/methodology/approach
A web-based survey methodology is used as the main data collection instrument. Statistical techniques such as confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regressions are used to analyze 162 responses of questionnaires.
Findings
The findings suggest that all factors do influence CS. In terms of strength, security had the highest level of impact on CS, so it is the strongest determinant among all factors. After security, ease of use and information are considered as strong determinants. So, this study concludes that the five major determinates do affect CS in web development projects from freelance marketplaces.
Research limitations/implications
This research is limited only to the top freelance marketplaces, such as Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, Guru, Envato Studio, etc. The sample size is relatively small and this study is focused on web development projects only. Moreover, this research is focused only on the characteristics or attributes of the projects final outcome, i.e. website.
Practical implications
This study attempts to identify the important factors that have a relation with CS, thus giving freelancers an indication of what to look for when working on any web development project posted by any client in a freelance marketplace. Understanding the determinants of CS will also help Pakistani information technology freelancers involved in web development projects and services to increase their project performance, improve their CS rate and increment client following.
Originality/value
This presents the first study on the determinants of CS in web development projects from freelance marketplaces.
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Mohit Yadav, Sangita Choudhary and Shubhi Jain
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and knowledge sharing behavior in freelancers. Also, the study focuses upon mediation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and knowledge sharing behavior in freelancers. Also, the study focuses upon mediation of the relationship by employee engagement and moderation by social support.
Design/methodology/approach
Confirmatory factor analysis was used to find validity and reliability of the model under study. To study the relation between variables, the Pearson correlation was used. Further, the PROCESS macro of Hayes (2013) was used to test mediation and moderated mediation.
Findings
Transformational leadership influenced knowledge collecting and knowledge donating behavior in freelancers. The relation was mediated by employee engagement. Social support was found to moderate the mediated path by employee engagement between transformational leadership and knowledge collecting behavior. A similar result was found for knowledge donating behavior as a dependent variable.
Research limitations/implications
The model under study can be tested in other contexts with extended data.
Practical implications
The study asserts importance on freelancers in knowledge sharing in client organizations; leaders should take a transformational role to create a culture of free flow of knowledge and information between various types of employees.
Originality/value
This study is the first to research how transformational leadership, through engagement, motivates freelancers in engaging in knowledge collecting and knowledge donating. The importance of social support is also noted.
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Ralph Tench, Johanna Fawkes and Dayan Palihawadana
This paper describes a research project that involved an in‐depth investigation into freelancing in the public relations industry with data collected from both freelancers and…
Abstract
This paper describes a research project that involved an in‐depth investigation into freelancing in the public relations industry with data collected from both freelancers and their employers. The analysis of these data highlighted the complexity of issues for those working in and employing people in this sector of public relations practice. The research project produced data on themes relating to freelance practitioners’ status, skills and experience, but this paper aims to focus specifically on trends and issues for the future. The key findings under this theme are that the freelance sector has grown. A majority of clients claim an increased use of freelancers in the last year and this was linked to a “need for flexibility” and “new business development”. Also the majority of freelancers are happy and do not want to change their employment status and some respondents stated “nothing” would make them return to permanent employment. Freelance public relations appears to be meeting a trend since the early 1990s for companies to “downsize” and “outsource” workers and for employees to seek a work/lifestyle balance. Regarding patterns of work almost half of freelancers claimed to be more productive when freelancing with the key factors being that they have “fewer interruptions” and fewer “unnecessary meetings”. Of relevance to national institutes and debates about professionalisation and reputation, it was interesting that the majority of the sample were not members of a professional body. The research and its findings have implications for human resources managers employing public relations staff, public relations managers and directors who commission freelance practitioners and the freelancers themselves.
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Stefan Süß and Johannes Becker
In recent years, the number of freelancers has increased considerably, especially in the IT and the media sectors. Additionally, the discussion around employability has…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, the number of freelancers has increased considerably, especially in the IT and the media sectors. Additionally, the discussion around employability has intensified because of its relevance for employees in meeting labour market demands. Employability is especially important for freelancers as it has a key influence on their financial success. However, there is a lack of empirical research on the employability of freelancers and the competences associated with it. This article aims to reduce this research gap by presenting findings of an explanatory study on freelancer employability.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical data in this article is based on 23 semi‐structured interviews which were conducted with freelancers in the IT and media sectors.
Findings
The results reveal that the employability of freelancers is shaped by technical, social and networking competences. Additionally, it is pointed out that the dynamics in the analyzed sectors are distinct and therefore the intensity of competence development and training is varying.
Originality/value
The presented study contributes to research on freelancers as it stresses the necessity of employability for success at work. The link between employability and freelancers has not received prior attention in research.
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John Kitching and David Smallbone
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that freelancing is neglected by researchers as a form of small business activity. It aims to consider whether it is possible and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that freelancing is neglected by researchers as a form of small business activity. It aims to consider whether it is possible and useful for researchers to distinguish freelancers from other types of small business owner.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper does this in three ways: first, by conceptualising freelance status; second, by examining the research literature on freelance workers; and, third, by estimating the size of the UK freelance workforce to demonstrate their importance.
Findings
The definition proposed permits identification of many types of freelancer hitherto neglected by researchers. Freelancers are a large and growing proportion of the UK business stock and the recent recession has led to a further expansion.
Originality/value
Given the size and distinctiveness of the freelance workforce, researchers might explore the similarities and differences between freelancers and other small business owners with regard to: their motivations for starting and continuing to operate on a freelance basis; experiences of business ownership and management; the heterogeneity of the freelance workforce; and the wider social, economic and political causes and consequences of freelance working.
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