The Gig Economy’s Implications for Management Education

Abstract

Traditional employment is typically defined as ongoing full-time work for one employer. However, other employment relationships are becoming more prevalent, a phenomenon often called the “rise of the gig economy.” As much as one third of the adult workforce may already be involved in gig work, and this proportion is likely to grow. The increasing prevalence of gig work has implications for all aspects of organizing, including management education. In this essay, based on discussions I had about these issues at previous UnConference meetings, I describe some of the challenges and opportunities that the gig economy creates for the scholarship of teaching and learning. Combining employment statistics with preliminary research evidence, I highlight three broad areas for future investigation: how the gig economy may influence students, how it may influence faculty, and how it may influence universities. My hope is that this essay inspires new research and improved practice.