The Gig Economy Flashcards
Where was this standard employment relationship found after WWII?
The Global North – developed power houses, reserved for white men – not extended
to minorities/woman, not seen outside few industrialized economies.
What is the inverse of standard employment?
Precarious work – unstable/uncertain
Between precarious work and standard work, which is the oldest?
Precarious employment – existed since launch of paid employment as primary source of sustenance.
True or false, only after the introduction of digital platforms did the worker’s schedule become determined by global economic forces.
False – amount of work still determined by access to resources
True or false, Gig work is a third type of work, alongside standard and precarious work.
False – Gig work is a type of precarious work.
Social, economic, political forces aligned to make work more precarious.
What are the 5 factors that Kalleberg says contribute to the increase in the precariousness of work?
- Decline in attachment to employers – greater number of different jobs held
over lifetime, willingness to change job. - Increase in long-term unemployment – more people seeking work, shaper in
low-and-middle income countries. - Increase in perceived job insecurity – whether work is more precarious,
people feel that it is. - Increase in non-standard work arrangements and contingent work.
- Increase in risk-shifting from employers to employees.
What are the 9 enablers of the gig economy?
- Platform infrastructure
- Digital legibility of work
- Consumer attitudes and behaviours/preferences
- Mass connectivity and cheap tech
- Gendered and racialised relationships of work.
- Desire for flexibility for/from workers
- State regulation
- Worker power
- Globalisation and outsourcing
What are the two types of precarious workers?
Chain workers – physical, farms – hire additional labour – can only sell their
labour.
Brain workers – freelance, expert in specific field but is a very specialized skill -
specialist skills and relative bargaining powers.
Explain the 2008 Financial crisis
European Commission focused on labour market aspects; EU member states should develop measures within policy framework informed by principles of flexicurity – rather less security than a combination of flexibility/security.
Explain what a Platform infrastructure is.
Platform-based digital marketplaces facilitate the connection between labor buyers and sellers. They bring together individuals who wouldn’t naturally meet due to distance or timing constraints. These platforms enable trust-building between service providers and users, crucial for successful transactions. For example, in Uber, users trust the drivers, agree on prices, and establish the necessary conditions for a transaction.
Explain what a Digital legibility of work is.
Digital legibility of work refers to the ease with which digital content can be understood, accessed, and manipulated by both humans and machines. It encompasses factors like clear organization, standardized formats, metadata, and compatibility with various devices and software.
Explain what a Consumer attitudes & behaviour/preferences is.
Consumers now anticipate convenient access to goods and services, raising expectations for what is achievable. Companies capitalize on these expectations, leveraging consumer loyalty to mitigate government regulation. Generating consumer demand is vital for new economic activities. Some industries require platforms to stimulate entirely novel demand and behaviors, while others can build upon existing practices. Platform companies adeptly navigate consumer preferences in response to negative publicity or regulatory challenges. However, consumer influence can also be wielded against platforms when necessary.
Explain what a Mass connectivity and cheap tech is.
Platforms are not only accessible via smartphones; there’s an app for consumers and a separate feature phone app for providers. With high internet connectivity rates, most individuals have some form of online access. The world is significantly more digitally interconnected now, with many potential customers and gig economy workers part of this global network, forming a considerable digital grid.
Explain what a Gendered and racialized relationships to work (Gender and race inequalities) is.
Prerequisites for the gig economy’s emergence included pre-existing gender and racial dynamics. Many engaged in precarious work are men, while migrants often fill such roles due to racial factors. The gendered and racialized dynamics of traditional work environments influence and are further perpetuated within the gig economy. While machines themselves may not discriminate, biases can manifest through the individuals who design and build them.
Explain what Desire for flexibility for/from workers is.
The traditional notion of 9-5, standardized work is entrenched in rigid structures. Gig work introduces significant flexibility, catering to the growing demand from workers. This demand fuels the expansion of the gig economy. As cultural and social norms evolve, there’s a heightened desire for flexibility from both employers and workers. For many, the gig economy presents opportunities for alternative working arrangements.
