The motivation of subcontracted workers: a never-ending paradox

摘要

Certain considerations come about the subcontracted workers motivation when theStrategic Human Resource Management is used as a point of reference for diverseanalysis. This article shows two faces of Human Resource Management. On one hand,the article indicates how important worker motivation has been for Human ResourceManagement and its direct association with worker productivity and efficacy. On theother hand, it points out the increasing importance that subcontracting has had as analternative that allows companies the flexibilization and minimization of labor costs. Eventhough a structural contradiction comes up in this context, subcontracting seems to strivefor feelings of affiliation and pride of belonging which are key elements to motivate thepersonnel. Apart from the literature review, the study was based on an ethnographicmethodology of executives, contractors and subcontracted workers; and the results aimto contribute to streams of Organizational Theory and Human Resource Management.