Implications of algorithmic management on careers and employment relationships in the gig economy – a developing country perspective
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the implications of algorithmic management on careers and employment relationships in the Nigerian gig economy. Specifically, drawing on labour process theory (LPT), this study provides an understanding of the production relations beyond the “traditional standard” to “nonstandard” forms of employment in a gig economy mediated by digital platforms or digital forms of work, especially on ride-hailing platforms (Uber and Bolt).
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted the interpretive qualitative approach and a semi-structured interview of 49 participants, including 46 platform drivers and 3 platform managers from Uber and Bolt.
Findings
This study addresses the theoretical underpinnings of the LPT as it relates to algorithmic management and control in the digital platform economy. The study revealed that, despite the ultra-precarious working conditions and persistent uncertainty in employment relations under algorithmic management, the underlying key factors that motivate workers to engage in digital platform work include higher job flexibility and autonomy, as well as having a source of income. This study captured the human-digital interface and labour processes related to digital platform work in Nigeria. Findings of this study also revealed that algorithmic management enables a transactional exchange between platform providers and drivers, while relational exchanges occur between drivers and customers/passengers. Finally, this study highlighted the perceived impact of algorithmic management on the attitude and performance of workers.
Originality/value
The research presents an interesting case study to investigate the influence of algorithmic management and labour processes on employment relationships in the largest emerging economy in Africa.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Dr Hui Huang for the helpful comments on the earlier version of this paper. The authors also appreciate the journal’s editorial team and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and guidance.
Since submission of this article, the following author(s) have updated their affiliations: Olatunji David Adekoya is at the Department of Management, Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK and Hakeem Adeniyi Ajonbadi is at the Department of Management, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha, Qatar.
Citation
Adekoya, O.D., Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H.A. and Chen, W. (2023), "Implications of algorithmic management on careers and employment relationships in the gig economy – a developing country perspective", Information Technology & People, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-01-2023-0064
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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