Idiosyncratic deals in contemporary organizations: A qualitative and meta-analytical review

Idiosyncratic deals (i-deals) research focuses on the emergence of customized work arrangements employees negotiate with their employers. This article provides a critical review and synthesis of i-deals research, combining a qualitative review of i-deals theory and research with a supplementary meta-analysis of 23 empirical studies (k = 27 samples, N = 8110 individuals). The qualitative review examines the conceptualization and measurement of i-deals and identifies patterns and gaps in i-deals research, while the quantitative meta-analysis tests the moderating effect of societal cultures on the predictors and consequences of ideals investigated to date. In each section, attention is given to strengths and weaknesses of current approaches to i-deals theory and research. Future research directions are identified with particular emphasis on the largely unexamined role of i-deals from a multilevel perspective.