Gig-economy integration: organizational development strategies for a fluid workforce

Purpose This paper develops a conceptual framework for integrating gig-economy workers (“gig nodes”) into traditional organizational development (OD) processes. It aims to address the current gap in OD models that largely exclude freelancers and platform-based labor by specifying mechanisms to align gig workers’ identities, foster community bonding and enable effective knowledge transfer within fluid workforce architectures. Design/methodology/approach Using a bibliographic (scoping review) method, the author systematically synthesize literature from OD, gig-economy studies and boundary-spanning theory. The author identify thematic clusters and derive propositions for embedding gig nodes into existing OD stages entry, development and exit culminating in a multi-layered integration framework. Findings The proposed framework comprises three interlocking dimensions: Identity Integration aligning gig workers’ self-concept with organizational culture; Community Bonding leveraging virtual and in-person rituals to foster belonging; and Knowledge Transfer establishing codified and social-learning channels. The author also outline boundary-spanning roles and feedback loops that sustain engagement and performance. Originality/value This is among the first studies to offer a theory-driven OD model tailored to gig-economy contexts. By merging bibliographic insights with boundary-spanning concepts, it extends OD scholarship to accommodate decentralized, project-based labor. Practitioners gain actionable design principles for inclusive change interventions, while researchers receive a foundation for empirical validation.