WORK ‘‘WITHOUT BORDERS’’- FLEXIBLE WORK AND ITS CONSEQUENCES A case study of a NGO in Greece during the economic recession

Abstract

The aim of this study was twofold. On the one hand, the purpose was to provide a better understanding on how work is organised in a non-profit organisation through the spectrum of flexibility and what its consequences are for the organisation, the paid staff and the volunteers. On the other hand, the purpose was to test Atkinson’s (1985) ‘‘flexible firm’’ conceptual framework in the context of non-profit organisations, and in particular, its dichotomisation hypothesis to core and peripheral workforce groups. For these purposes the case study methodology was chosen. Thirty-tree in-depth interviews with volunteers, paid staff and a representative from the board of directors, of a non-governmental organisation in Greece were conducted. Organisational documents and information about the organisation constituted the secondary source of evidence. The data analysis revealed patterns of flexible contractual and working arrangements and their consequences for the organisation and its workforce. The main findings and the theoretical contribution of the study are discussed. The implications of the study are also discussed together with its limitations and with suggestions for further research.