Career-related attitudes, behaviours and competencies of freelance workers in a gig economy

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution has contributed to the rise of the “gig worker” or freelancer. The new economy, also known as the gig economy, provides an opportunity for freelance agents to conduct work as non-permanent employees. Growth in the gig economy is expected to continue in the near future, with more permanent employees adopting this way of work. The academic literature has not adequately explored what the career-related attitudes, behaviours and competencies are that are required to be successful in this gig economy. This study aims to identify the required attitudes, behaviours and competencies to be successful. The study was based on the career self-management model developed by Lent and Brown (2013), based on social cognitive career theory. Qualitative, exploratory, inductive research methods were applied in order to gain insights into career-related attitudes, behaviours and competencies. A total of 15 semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with freelancers. Each interview was analysed by means of thematic content analysis, averaging 25 minutes per interview. Interviews were transcribed, coded and thematic analysis was applied to answer the research questions. The key findings confirmed career-related attitudes, behaviours and competencies that have been identified through the theory and a review of literature. The contribution made by this study is that attitudes, behaviours and competencies as a collective are essential, they are interlinked and connected; success is not possible without all three constructs being fulfilled. It provided context to potential freelancers, whether this is a career-path they would like to embrace. The researcher proposed a framework that depicts the interlinked and connected nature of career-related attitudes, behaviours and competencies. The researcher proposed that the framework is applied to other models or frameworks to draw on several aspects of academic studies. A limitation of the study was that success was not measured. The findings from this research add to the existing literature in the field of vocational behaviour.