Are we 'sharing' or 'gig‐ing'? A classification system for online platforms. Issue 6 (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maffie, Michael David
• Is Part Of: Industrial relations journal. Volume 51:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 536
• Page End: 555
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: Industrial relations -- Periodicals; 331.1942
• DOI: 10.1111/irj.12312
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0019-8692

Abstract

Abstract: There is a growing debate about the nature and extent of platform control over workers. Companies claim they are merely 'matchmakers' while labour advocates argue that these organisations exercise granular control over workers. Blending the fields of information science and labour relations, this article develops a classification system of sequential control to delineate between 'high control' and 'low control' platforms. In doing so, this article provides a theoretical method to distinguish 'sharing' versus 'gig' platforms and argues that worker autonomy—how platforms foreclose worker choice—can be used to understand platform control.