
Contents
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Introduction Introduction
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Theories behind the flexibility paradox Theories behind the flexibility paradox
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Gift exchange, enabled and imposed intensification Gift exchange, enabled and imposed intensification
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Self-exploitation Self-exploitation
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Organisational culture and self-exploitation Organisational culture and self-exploitation
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Entreprenurialisation of self and careers Entreprenurialisation of self and careers
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Subjectification of self Subjectification of self
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Manifestations of the paradox: passion at work as the basis for self-exploitation Manifestations of the paradox: passion at work as the basis for self-exploitation
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Passion Passion
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Busyness as a badge of honour Busyness as a badge of honour
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Passion paradox Passion paradox
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Millennial burnout Millennial burnout
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Conclusion Conclusion
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Notes Notes
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5 The flexibility paradox: why more freedom at work leads to more work
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Published:March 2022
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Abstract
This chapter provides the theoretical underpinning of the flexibility paradox and the resulting self-exploitation. This chapter first summarises the ideas of previous scholars– for example the theories of social exchange, enforced intensification, and enabled intensification, entreployee, entrepreneurial self, and the theory of autonomy-control paradox. This chapter draws from Foucault’s theories of homo-economicus and the subjectification of self to provide a broader framework of understanding the flexibility paradox. More specifically, it argues that we now live in a society where all interactions takes form of economic exchanges, where workers internalise these ideas of capitalism. In this context, “freedom” over one’s work is more likely to lead to workers working longer and harder, because the failure to do so will only result in the worker themselves bearing the associated risk of income insecurity, unemployment or loss of position within the organisation/labour market. This chapter also examines whether this phenomenon in on the rise especially with the millennial (and zennial) generation, who have been born into the world of gig-economy and the demise of the collective. Finally, the chapter explore some of the key indicators of such societal change by exploring the idea and data around work-centrality and passion at work.
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