Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

9-2008

Abstract

Most prior outsourcing studies in the human resources domain have focused on the initial decision for outsourcing HR activities. Hence, little is known about HR managers' commitment to continue an already existing outsourcing relationship. This study constitutes a first step to increase our understanding of the factors related to the continuity of HR outsourcing relationships. We developed and tested a model of HR managers' (N = 186) commitment in outsourcing relationships. Affective commitment or the desire for the outsourcing relationship to continue was related to the depth and frequency of HR outsourcing. Conversely, continuance commitment, which refers to the constraints that keep the outsourcing relationship intact, was not related to the continuity of HR outsourcing. Finally, affective commitment was fostered by HR managers' perception that HR vendors shared the same values for managing people.

Keywords

Lievens: Human resources outsourcing, external organizational commitment, shared values, trust;switching costs

Discipline

Human Resources Management | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

Human Resource Management

Volume

47

Issue

3

First Page

559

Last Page

579

ISSN

0090-4848

Identifier

10.1002/hrm.20232

Publisher

Wiley: 24 months

Copyright Owner and License

Publisher

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.20232

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