Understanding the opaque world of algorithmic control A qualitative study into the role of algorithmic control in the experienced quality of working life of meal deliverers
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2021-07-20
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en
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The food delivery sector of platform work is rapidly expanding, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, this sector has flourished as never before. However, Wood et al. (2019) showed that freelancers working via these digital labor platforms encounter huge working life issues, such as having few autonomy and working unsocial hours. Algorithmic control is central to the operation of digital labor platforms. The objective of this research is to gain more insight, through qualitative research, into the role of six algorithmic mechanisms in the experienced quality of working life of meal deliverers working for Uber Eats and Deliveroo, in order to contribute to literature in the field of algorithmic control. Drawing on online semi-structured interviews with meal deliverers working for Uber Eats and Deliveroo, this study shows that algorithmic control has an important directing role, mainly by algorithmic restricting, a moderately important evaluating role, mainly by algorithmic rating, and a slightly important disciplining role, entirely by algorithmic rewarding. This research contributes to literature in the field of algorithmic control by providing a more tangible picture of the role of algorithmic control in the experienced quality of working life of meal deliverers working for Uber Eats and Deliveroo.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen