From Flexicurity to Flexsecquality?: The Impact of the Fixed-Term Contract Provisions on Employment in Science Research

Ackers, Louise; Oliver, Liz

doi:10.2753/imo0020-8825370103

Cited by 29 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…As in many European countries (Lissoni et al, 2011), Spanish universities use fixed-term contracts to attract young and promising researchers on the basis that some characteristics of this contract (flexibility and increased mobility) positively impact research productivity by offsetting the effects of academic inbreeding (Ackers & Oliver, 2007;Horta et al, 2010). Yet, studies on HR management show that the short-termism and high turnover rates linked to this type of contract may increase job insecurity, which translates in lower research productivity (Harney et al, 2014;Metcalf et al, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Contrary to academic inbreeding, this type of contract facilitates external recruitment, which increases mobility of academics and favors competition (Ackers & Oliver, 2007;Paradeise, 2012). Scientists with a fixed-term contract are often young and promising researchers whose tasks are primarily oriented to produce research outcomes.…”

Section: Contract Policy In Universities and The Research Productivitmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Contract employment policy and research productivity of knowledge workers: an analysis of Spanish universities

Lafuente

Berbegal‐Mirabent

2017

The International Journal of Human Resource Management

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Abstract:This article investigates how contract employment practices adopted by universitiesfixed-term contracts and permanent contracts-impact research productivity measured in terms of publications in scholarly journals. The empirical application considers the Spanish public higher education system for the period 2002-2008. We report an inverse U-shaped relationship between the rate fixed-term contracts and the research productivity of Spanish universities. That is, contract policies based on fixed-term contracts are conducive to research productivity; however, beyond a critical threshold value increases in the proportion of fixed-term contracts are associated with declining research productivity. These findings reveal that contract employment policies shape research productivity, and that flexible and balanced contract practices are critical for enhancing universities' research productivity. The results suggest that the excessive use of fixed-term contracts might create an unstable working environment that limits the universities' capacity to capitalize on their knowledge workers. Policy implications and future research avenues are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Contract Policy In Universities and The Research Productivitmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contract employment policy and research productivity of knowledge workers: an analysis of Spanish universities

Lafuente

Berbegal‐Mirabent

2017

The International Journal of Human Resource Management

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“…It has also been associated with the early stages of the career whereby fixed-term positions form a period of training and probation following the completion of a PhD. The changing nature of research funding and careers renders the link between fixed-term employment, mobility and career progression complex (Ackers and Oliver 2007). The extent to which short-term moves can be characterised as a 'win-win' for both researchers and research systems is mitigated (Bryson 2004).…”

Section: Fixed-term Employment and Geographic Mobility In Science Carmentioning

confidence: 98%

Living flexibly? How Europe's science researchers manage mobility, fixed-term employment and life outside work

Oliver¹

2012

The International Journal of Human Resource Management

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This paper draws from interviews with mobile science researchers to explore experiences of mobility and fixed-term employment in the EU. The paper takes a sociolegal approach, aiming to understand the contribution of EU law and policy to the resource framework within which career decisions are made. The high incidence of fixed-term employment and the expectation of geographic mobility in science labour markets has made science researchers very 'flexible' employees and, arguably, model EU citizens. But how are these factors managed in the context of every-day life? Developing sound empirical evidence of how individuals experience mobility and fixed-term employment could lead to more sensitive and effective policy making. This is particularly pertinent as human resource issues in science research have become central to achieving the EU's overarching strategies for growth and jobs (the Lisbon Strategy and Europe 2020). A range of policies designed to increase the mobility of researchers and to manage the use of fixed-term contracts have been put in place. This paper draws on empirical evidence to inform our understandings of these developing areas of law and policy in the EU.

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“…Some authors (e.g. Patinkin, 1968;Regets, 2001;Nerdrum and Sarpebakken, 2006) were critical of this problem being analyzed in efficiency terms at country level, and claimed that other aspects such as the imperfections related to regional labor markets and individual opportunities for career development, and other levels of analysis should be considered (Gaillard and Gaillard, 1998;Ackers, 2005;Ackers and Oliver, 2007).…”

Section: Geographical Dimension: International Mobility Of Researchermentioning

confidence: 99%

What Do We Know of the Mobility of Research Scientists and of its Impact on Scientific Production

2015

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From Flexicurity to Flexsecquality?: The Impact of the Fixed-Term Contract Provisions on Employment in Science Research

Cited by 29 publications

References 9 publications

Contract employment policy and research productivity of knowledge workers: an analysis of Spanish universities

Contract employment policy and research productivity of knowledge workers: an analysis of Spanish universities

Living flexibly? How Europe's science researchers manage mobility, fixed-term employment and life outside work

What Do We Know of the Mobility of Research Scientists and of its Impact on Scientific Production

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