Duality of Work in Sharing Economy Platforms

Abayomi Baiyere, A.K.M. Najmul Islam, Matti Mäntymäki

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Digitalization is enabling new and novel forms of work. One such emerging form of work manifests itself in the rise of sharing economy. In this study, we explore the duality, i.e. the positive and negative outcomes, of work enabled by a sharing economy platform, Uber. We identify a set of positive and negative outcomes the workers attribute to their work for the sharing economy platform as well as characteristics of the digital platform enabling these outcomes. Furthermore, by drawing on theory of work relations, we theorize how the dimensions (temporal, physical, and administrative) of work relations manifest themselves in work done for a sharing economy platform. We found that freedom that consists of control of time, source of income, and self-employment represents the positive side of work. Price reduction, one-sided termination of contract, and lack of control reflect the power disparity between workers and the platform. We further identified three mechanisms in the digital platform that enable the duality, namely resource connecting, data control, and work distribution. Our findings imply that the data control mechanism is a key contributor to power disparity experienced by Uber drivers.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAMCIS 2019 Proceedings
Number of pages10
Place of PublicationAtlanta, GA
PublisherAssociation for Information Systems. AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)
Publication date2019
ISBN (Print)9780996683180
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event25th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2019 - Cancún International Convention Center, Cancún, Mexico
Duration: 15 Aug 201917 Aug 2019
Conference number: 25
https://amcis2019.aisconferences.org/

Conference

Conference25th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2019
Number25
LocationCancún International Convention Center
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityCancún
Period15/08/201917/08/2019
SponsorAuburn University, Northern Illinois University, Prospect Press, University of Arkansas
Internet address

Keywords

  • Sharing economy
  • Rideshare
  • Digital work
  • Work relations
  • Duality
  • Digital platforms
  • Uber

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