The survey - run for the fourth consecutive year by contractor management company Entity Solutions in conjunction with the Department of Management at Monash University - questioned 346 white collar contactors, almost half working in IT and telecommunications.
Respondents were asked to score their attitudes and practices across the three key facets of knowledge worker productivity: efficiency, quality and timeliness.
According to Entity Solutions, "The results confirm that far from being disinterested participants the vast majority of IPros hold their clients' interests at heart and are determined to meet client quality standards and timeframes. They perceive they are productive contributors to their client organisations and consider themselves trustworthy, professional, efficient and effective in their client dealings."
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She said that employers generally regarded contractors as inferior to permanent employees but this was an erroneous view that had to change. "[iPros] are clearly an organisational asset that should be recognised for the value they offer and the skills that they bring - organisations who relegate them to being ignored, hidden or forgotten are quite simply missing out."
"ABS statistics say that 56 percent of the workforce have been in their current position for less than five years and 20 percent for less than a year. So why should people worry about iPros and commitment and loyalty when it's not a feature of the normal workforce?"
Matthew Franceschini, CEO of Entity Solutions, added: "The 2012 IPro Index survey debunks the myth that IPros are less committed to their work than permanent employees. IPros are just as, if not more dedicated, albeit for the duration of their contract.
"iPros are productive, professional workforce. They take pride in their work they are commited to their client organisation. It is a myth that they are mere mercenaries. The data suggests that if they are not productive they will leave and find something else.
He claimed: "The return on investment [in contractors] in most cases is going be better than what employers get from their permanent workforce."
He added that the growth of non-traditional workers in the workforce would be a significant factor in the future and one that was not receiving the attention it deserved.
"IBM did some research through IBISWorld that said that by 2050 the concept of 'employee' would be dead. Already the number in non-traditional roles is one in 2.65. There is not enough being written about it. I don't think people fully understand how fundamental a change this will be...The data is that about 20 percent of the workforce is independent contractors, but this includes people like truck drivers who we would not see as independent professionals."
