What Do We Know about Contracting Out in the United States? Evidence from Household and Establishment Surveys

Matthew Dey, Susan Houseman and Anne Polivka
Additional contact information
Matthew Dey: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Anne Polivka: Bureau of Labor Statistics

No 09-157, Upjohn Working Papers from W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Abstract: A variety of evidence points to significant growth in domestic contracting out over the last two decades, yet the phenomenon is not well documented. In this paper, we pull together data from various sources to shed light on the extent of and trends in domestic outsourcing, the occupations in which it has grown, and the industries engaging in outsourcing for the employment services sector, which has been a particularly important area of domestic outsourcing. In addition, we examine evidence of contracting out of selected occupations to other sectors. We point to many gaps in our knowledge on trends in domestic outsourcing and its implications for employment patterns and to inconsistencies across data sets in the information that is available. We recommend steps to improve data in this area.

Keywords: contracting out; outsourcing; employment services; houseman (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J21 J24 L84 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-09
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Chapter: What Do We Know About Contracting Out in the United States? Evidence from Household and Establishment Surveys (2010)
Chapter: What Do We Know about Contracting Out in the United States? Evidence from Household and Establishment Surveys (2010)
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