Getting the deal: a qualitative inquiry into the task and developmental i-deal obtainment process

Garg, Swati; Sinha, Shuchi

Abstract

Purpose
Idiosyncratic deals, or i-deals, are customizations that employees make to their jobs with the consent of their organization. This study investigates how employees obtain their task and developmental (T&D) i-deals by using qualitative data obtained from professionals in India.

Design/methodology/approach
In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with 27 professionals employed in diverse services firms in India. Data was analysed using the Gioia guidelines (Gioia et al., 2013).

Findings
The findings show a four-stage i-deal obtainment process that highlights how the desire for a T&D i-deal emerges, strengthens and materializes into an actual discussion or negotiation, and the routes employees take depending upon the success or failure of the i-deal discussion.

Originality/value
I-deals obtainment is a four-stage cyclical process, encompassing several factors, including attempts at credibility building by the i-dealer, assessing the availability of the i-deal within the organization and using influence tactics during the i-deal discussion. The application of social learning theory accentuates understanding of the i-deal obtainment process, particularly how employees develop and recognize the desire for an i-deal and how they progress through the four stages.

Citation

Garg, S., & Sinha, S. (2024). Getting the deal: a qualitative inquiry into the task and developmental i-deal obtainment process. Employee Relations, 46(8), https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-09-2023-0502

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 9, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 7, 2024
• Publication Date: Dec 2, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 6, 2025
• Journal: Employee Relations: The International Journal
• Print ISSN: 0142-5455
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 8
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-09-2023-0502
• Keywords: Task i-deals, Developmental i-deals, Social exchange, Social learning, I-deals obtainment
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/984040
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/er-09-2023-0502/full/html