MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Workforce Ecosystem Orchestration: A Strategic Framework

As organizations increasingly rely on contributors beyond their own employees, the once simple question of who (or what) is doing the work now has far-reaching implications for management practices, leadership approaches, and what it means to be a socially responsible business.

Our research shows, for example, that corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion practices (and goals) are typically internally focused and do not encompass external contributors. And yet more than 90% of respondents to our global executive survey agree that their workforce includes external contributors. Many organizations rely on external contributors to perform at least 30% of the work, yet accessing and engaging with talent is often siloed, fragmented, and uncoordinated across internal and external contributors. We have seen organization after organization realize, belatedly, that their dependence on external workers was creating inefficiencies and missed strategic opportunities.

About the Author

Elizabeth J. Altman (@lizaltman) is an associate professor of management at the Manning School of Business at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and is the guest editor for the MIT Sloan Management Review Future of the Workforce Big Ideas research initiative.

David Kiron is the editorial director for research at MIT Sloan Management Review and program lead for its Big Ideas research initiatives.

Robin Jones is a principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP. She serves as the Workforce Transformation Practice leader for the firm and has 25 years of organization and workforce transformation consulting experience.

Susan Cantrell is vice president of products, workforce strategies, at Deloitte Consulting LLP. She has over 23 years of experience in consulting, where she has driven thought leadership and innovation in human capital and the future of work.

Steven Hatfield is a principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP. He serves as its global Future of Work leader and has over 25 years of experience advising global organizations on issues affecting work, workforces, and the workplace.

Learn more about MIT SMR.