The concept of liminality refers to the experience to be betwixt-and-between social structures
and the associated positions, statuses, and roles. We advance the original use of the
concept by introducing the various meanings that the experience of being in a liminal state
can take. Drawing on political anthropology we identify the dimensions of ?types of subjects,?
?time,? ?space,? and ?scale? in order to analytically unlock the liminal experience. Exemplifying
our concept we present the findings from an own study of temporary agency workers in
Denmark. Exploring the workers? interpretations allows us to illustrate to what extent their
employment situation constitutes a multi-dimensional liminal experience between established
social structures and employment categories. The article emphasizes the complexity
of the liminal experience. Theoretically and empirically, we show the many meanings along
which liminality can unfold in organizational and work-related contexts. We argue that future
studies should explore the various dimensions in other contexts of passages from one relatively
stable state to another. In doing so, similarities and differences between various liminal
experiences and the role the various dimensions play could be identified.
Author Biographies
Ingo Winkler, University of Southern Denmark
Associate Professor
Mustafa Khalil Mahmood, University of Southern Denmark
