Defining the Employee Status of Independent Contractors in the U.S.: A Review and Report on the Legal Issues for Technical Communicators
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/stc/tc/2002/00000049/00000002/art00007
  access restricted (by the publisher) to members/subscribers/customers only
  peer-reviewed

Clements, Rhonda
Technical Communication Online
2002

Abstract:

In the past, companies hired independent contractors to perform special projects. Now, while still used for these purposes, ICs are also used in strategic positions throughout many organizations. The use of ICs in strategic roles is especially beneficial to small and medium-sized businesses that cannot afford the cost of permanently employing individuals for specialized functions. For instance, an experienced technical communicator specializing in project management could be hired by a small business as an independent contractor to provide project management services.