Inclusive human resource management in freelancers' employment relationships: The role of organizational needs and freelancers' psychological contracts

Abstract

This study aimed to advance our understanding of inclusive human resource management (HRM) in freelance employ ment. We examined organizational needs and freelancers' psychological contracts with a qualitative interview study among eight dyads of HR managers and freelancers. Al though the findings showed that organisations and free lancers have different interests, both parties agreed on what inclusive HRM entails in freelancers' employment re lationships. However, within the dyads, the content of the psychological contract was not always viewed the same by HR managers and freelancers. Hence, negotiating mutual expectations when implementing inclusive HRM to avoid psychological contract breach appeared important. Further more, organizational needs did not seem to be considered when designing inclusive HRM. Due to this lack of strategic fit, organisations may waste opportunities of tapping into the full potential of hiring freelancers. The findings provide