Attitudes of Belgian Companies towards Outsourcing Microwork to Africa

Abstract

This research investigates the attitude of Belgian companies to outsource microwork to Africa. Microwork has the potential of alleviating high youth unemployment in Africa and simultaneously improving African digital economies. The purpose of this research is to find out whether overseas companies are already making use of micro job outsourcing, which platforms are used for this, which jobs are being outsourced and whether there is interest in those companies that still do not use micro work. The research also discusses the barriers that prevent companies to outsource microwork to Africa. 196 companies in Flanders (Belgium) were surveyed using a questionnaire. Five recommendations are presented, based on the perceived barriers and issues, to entice them to start or increase outsourcing micro-work to Africa.