Contracting out has long been used in all levels of government in the United States, with federal contract spending increasing 8% to 9% annually since 2015. The literature on contracting out has examined the impact of this practice on the work-related attitudes and motivation of public employees who have transitioned to work for private contractors. However, we understand very little about the effects of contracting out on the overwhelming number of public employees who are not displaced. Given the importance of work-related attitudes and turnover for organizations, this study explores the potential consequences of contracting out for employee turnover intention over a period of several years. The results of panel data analyses suggest that an increase in contracting activity in federal agencies increases the employee turnover intention rate. Contracting out also impacts employee turnover intention indirectly through its influence on job satisfaction.

长期以来，外包一直在美国各级政府中使用，自2015年以来，联邦合同支出每年增长8％至9％。有关外包的文献研究了这种做法对与工作相关的态度和动机的影响。已过渡为私营承包商工作的公共雇员数量。但是，我们对于外包对绝大多数没有流离失所的公共雇员的影响了解得很少。考虑到与工作相关的态度和离职对组织的重要性，本研究探讨了在数年内因员工离职意图而外包的潜在后果。面板数据分析的结果表明，联邦机构签约活动的增加会增加员工离职意向率。