The rise of digital labour platform work has drawn researchers to study how migrants are impacted by greater technology dependence in the workforce, and whether platform work might accelerate migrants’ entry into precarious, low-income, contingent work. Emerging data in Canada indicate that that the proportion of gig workers is considerably higher amongst immigrants, especially recent immigrants compared to Canadian-born populations; yet, the demographics and typologies of migrants that choose to undertake platform work have been understudied. This study looks at platform work as part of the wider process of labour market integration of newly arrived migrants in Canada. Acknowledging that labour market integration is a non-linear process that involves several stop-and-go phases, we look at platform work as part of this process and question whether it is a ‘stepping-stone’ or a trap into volatile, precarious work. The study is qualitative and exploratory, based on 24 semi-structured interviews with recent migrants in Canada who have engaged in platform work. Our findings suggest that platform work can serve as a useful first step to gain footing in a new country, as platforms have low barriers of entry, require little social or material capital, and offer flexible forms of employment that can be combined either with studying or looking for another position or with working in a different full-time job. It gives migrants a subjective feeling of control over their lives and security albeit when we delve deeper, they also realize it can be a dead end. The article concludes with some critical reflections on how platform work in the greater gig economy can shape migrant integration in the host country labour market.

Canada boasts some of the most highly educated migrants in the world, but it is well recognised that these migrants face many labour market barriers to gainful employment despite their experience and qualification. Administrative data indicate that the proportion of gig workers is considerably higher among migrants, yet little is known about the various perceived and desired pathways of migrants who choose to pursue platform work. In this inductive, qualitative study, we interviewed 35 platform workers in Canada regarding why and how they turned to such forms of work and how it fits their overall plans for integrating into the Canadian labour market. Adopting a grounded theory approach, we found six pathways into platform work ranging from those who feel in control of the situation as a means to an end, to those who feel trapped in it, unable to find alternatives. We question how these pathways relate to macro factors (e.g. immigration status, professional status), meso factors (e.g. education and skills, networks) or micro factors (e.g. stage in life cycle, aspirations). In our analysis, we consider the critical insights offered by scholars on racial and platform capitalism in understanding the factors impacting migrants’ pathways into platform work in Canada. Our findings suggest that these structural inequalities are further perpetuated within platform work, even though in theory Canada's immigration system is merit-based with emphasis on high human capital. Migrants’ engagement in platform work is a piece of a larger puzzle of segmented labour markets.

Exit! Exit! Exit! Our innovation ecosystems are focused on this goal above all else, thanks to the reliance on venture capital. Young potential entrepreneurs talk about exit strategies before even creating an innovation or starting a business. Our innovation ecosystems push them to do so in many ways. Seemingly straightforward questions to budding entrepreneurs such as “What is your exit strategy?” drastically shift focus and outcomes away from creating long–term societally beneficial innovations. We argue that this hypergrowth exit mindset is destroying societal wellbeing due to its laser focus on increasing socially constructed exit value above all else. As a field we need much more research about the antecedents and consequences of the mindset, as well as research informed alternative innovation models. To address this fertile research area, we call for more research on alternative models of innovation built upon societal wellbeing as opposed to exit valuations.

Temporary employment (TE) arrangements have become increasingly common in Canada among both high- and low-skilled workers. In this study, we examine the prevalence and earnings effects of TE across education levels with a specific focus on highly educated workers. We also examine the earnings effects of TE across the earnings distribution. We find that higher levels of schooling are negatively associated with the probability of TE. However, the earnings discounts for temporary work are significant and increase in magnitude for individuals with higher levels of educational attainment. For highly educated workers at the top end of the earnings distribution, the discount associated with being in a temporary job is large enough to substantially reduce, although not entirely negate, the sizeable earnings premiums associated with higher levels of education.

<p>In recent years, various forms of gig and platform work are becoming increasingly prevalent. In general, little is known about the demographics of workers in the gig economy and more specifically, the platform economy, and why they chose to pursue it.</p> <p><br></p> <p>This research is a qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews to understand the decision-making processes that immigrants go through when deciding to engage in the platform economy. This study aims to uncover the antecedents and consequences of immigrants working in the platform economy. The findings indicate that the challenges of the Canadian labour market pushed immigrants into platform work – these challenges brought out the attractiveness of the platform economy. Immigrants viewed platform work as transitionary in nature, a necessary step to achieve greater financial stability and skills-appropriate employment.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Keywords: platform economy, gig economy, immigrants, precarious employment, technology, on-demand economy, labour mobility</p>