SIA/MBO Partners: Only 30% of Enterprises Call Independent Talent Strategy Leading-Edge

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 28, 2026

New research from Staffing Industry Analysts, commissioned by MBO Partners by Beeline, finds fewer than one-third of corporate executives rate their organization's independent talent approach as leading-edge, with many still struggling with visibility, sourcing, compliance, and scalability. Among surveyed executives, 54% expect AI to increase their use of independent talent over the next two years, and nearly three-quarters anticipate using independent talent for AI-related work. 'Leader' organizations — those with mature programs — are up to five times more likely to cite workforce flexibility benefits and track more than 2.5 times as many independent talent metrics as peers. Staffing firms and VMS/AOR providers targeting enterprise clients can use these findings to highlight gaps in program maturity and position managed independent workforce solutions as a competitive differentiator.