Digitalisation and precarious work practices in alternative economies: Work organisation and work relations in e-cab services

Abstract

The emergence of the gig economy is mostly an alternative to the core service economy, which is gradually being transformed in spatial and temporal dimensions. It is not work in the gig economy, per se, that is problematic, but the way in which it is organised or structured is creating ruptures across several dimensions. This article seeks to explore the work organisation and work relations practised in these gig economies. In particular, it provides empirical findings on work practices in e-cab services so as to highlight the growing precariousness, in both economic and social contexts, among the service providers.