Understanding Platform Mediated Work-Life: A Diary Study with Gig Economy Freelancers

Abstract

Online freelancing platforms, such as Upwork, hold great promise in enabling flexible work opportunities where freelancers can combine their work with other life responsibilities, hereafter work-life. However, prior research suggests that platform features and self-managing demands of freelance work can jeopardise this apparent flexibility. In this paper, we report findings from a qualitative study, combining a 14-diary and semi-structured interview with 15 Upwork freelancers. We explored online freelancers' work practices, challenges, and the impact of platform features on their everyday lives. Our qualitative data suggest that platform features and individual context shape online freelancers' work-life practices. Freelancers develop strategies to mitigate platforms' constraints and balance their individual preferences and responsibilities. Further, our findings illustrate how platform features challenge freelancers' availability expectations, work autonomy, and work detachment. This paper contributes an empirical understanding of the factors influencing online freelancers' work-life practices by drawing upon Wanda J. Orlikowski's Structuration Model of Technology. This theoretical lens renders the interplay of freelancers, platforms, and instituted norms of freelance work.

The Impact of the Gig Economy on Traditional Employment and the Necessity for Revised Business, Hr, and Legal Strategies

“…The Internet and mobile computing are two significant aspects of digital culture growth. Back in the late 90s, platforms like eBay (Van Dusen, 2022) and those entities that already existed like Craigslist (craigslist.org established in 1996) made the foundation for the gig economy to help people offer goods and services individually through online marketplaces (Alvarez De La Vega et al, 2023).…”

Understanding the careers of freelancers on digital labor platforms: The case of IT work

“…Moreover, on the one hand, working on DLPs is characterized by higher autonomy Durward et al, 2016bDurward et al, , 2020 and flexibility (Bellesia et al, 2019;Huang et al, 2020) than working in organizations. This also impacts workers' careers, as they thus have greater personal responsibility and freedom to shape their careers (Alvarez et al, 2023). On the other hand, working on DLPs often comes at a high cost and time expenditure (Zheng et al, 2015) and individuals often work unsocial and irregular hours, which can lead to sleep deviation and exhaustion (Wood et al, 2019).…”