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Contingent Work: The Experience of Contractors in Learning and Development

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Contingent Work: The Experience of Contractors in Learning and Development

Munger, Françoise (2017) Contingent Work: The Experience of Contractors in Learning and Development. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

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Abstract

Market globalization and rapid changes in technology have led to an influx of contingent work arrangements in many occupational fields. This research investigates contracting, which is one of the growing contingent work arrangements for knowledge professionals. The study objective is to relate the attitudes and perceptions of contractors regarding satisfaction of work, life, and work-family balance. Sixty-two (62) independent contractors in learning and development across Canada responded to an invitation sent by a professional association in this field and completed the 54-item questionnaire. Learning and development is a broad field that encompasses many distinct roles, including instructional designers, instructors, and facilitators. Respondents assessed variables such as volition or preference to adopt contracting, autonomy of work, market demand, financial security, and feedback from organizations. Hypotheses on correlation between variables and outcomes were confirmed. Factor analysis provided three critical factors that explained 72 percent of the variance in 23 items. These factors are interpreted as (1) Performance Driver, (2) Environmental Enabler; and (3) Financial Stabilizer. Multiple regression provided significance on two outcome items that represent “Ideal Life” and “Fulfillment in Life.” The results suggest that the desire for contract work as well as traits, personal qualities, and life experience of contractors, positively affect the autonomy and uncertainty of the contractors. Organizations providing attractive conditions to contractors will appeal to qualified individuals. Scholars and professional associations play a key role in pursuing the dissemination of new knowledge and have the expertise to foster the success of self-employed professionals.

Keywords: contingent work, non-standard work, contractors, independent contractors, knowledge contractors, Institute of Performance and Learning, IPL, learning and development, instructional design, facilitation.
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RÉSUMÉ
Travail non classique: L’expérience des travailleurs autonomes dans le domaine de la formation et du développement des compétences

La mondialisation des marchés et les changements rapides technologiques ont amené une multitude de formes de travail non classiques dans plusieurs domaines professionnels. Cette recherche examine le travail autonome, une des formes de travail atypiques en croissance pour les professionnels du savoir. L’objectif de l’étude est d’établir un rapport entre les attitudes et les perceptions des travailleurs indépendants quant à la satisfaction au travail, satisfaction par rapport à la vie, et la conciliation travail-famille. Soixante-deux (62) travailleurs autonomes dans le domaine de la formation et du développement des compétences à travers le Canada ont répondu à l’invitation expédiée par une association professionnelle reconnue dans ce domaine et rempli le sondage de 54 questions. Le domaine de la formation et du développement des compétences est vaste et il inclut plusieurs rôles différents, y compris concepteurs pédagogiques, instructeurs, et facilitateurs. Les participants évaluaient les variables telles que la préférence d’adopter le travail autonome, l’autonomie au travail, la demande du marché, la sécurité financière, et la rétroaction des organisations. Les hypothèses sur le rapport entre les variables et la satisfaction ont été confirmées. L’analyse factorielle a décelé trois facteurs essentiels qui expliquent 72 pourcent de la variance dans 23 éléments. Ces facteurs sont interprétés comme (1) Moteurs de la réussite, (2) Catalyseurs environnementaux, et (3) Stabilisateurs financiers. La régression multiple a fourni de l’importance à deux éléments de satisfaction représentant « La vie idéale » et « l’Épanouissement dans la vie. » Les résultats suggèrent que le désir de devenir travailleur autonome aussi bien que le caractère de l’individu, les qualités personnelles, et l’expérience des travailleurs ont un effet positif sur l’autonomie et l’incertitude vécu par les travailleurs autonomes. Les organisations qui procurent des modalités attrayantes d’emploi aux travailleurs autonomes attireront des candidats qualifiés. Les universitaires et les associations professionnelles jouent un rôle essentiel dans la poursuite de la diffusion de la connaissance,et ils ont l’expertise pour favoriser la réussite des travailleurs autonomes professionnels.

Mots clés: travail non classique, travail atypique, travailleur autonome, travailleur indépendant, professionnel du savoir, l’Institut pour la performance et l’apprentissage, IPL, formation et développement des compétences, concepteur pédagogique, facilitateur.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Education
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Munger, Françoise
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Educational Technology
Date:15 April 2017
Thesis Supervisor(s):Carliner, Saul and Bernard, Robert
Keywords:contingent work, non-standard work, contractors, independent contractors, knowledge contractors, Institute of Performance and Learning, IPL, learning and development, instructional design, facilitation. ------ travail non classique, travail atypique, travailleur autonome, travailleur indépendant, professionnel du savoir, l’Institut pour la performance et l’apprentissage, IPL, formation et développement des compétences, concepteur pédagogique, facilitateur.
ID Code:982681
Deposited By: Françoise Munger
Deposited On:09 Nov 2017 20:22
Last Modified:18 Jan 2018 17:55

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