Your order, their labor: An exploration of algorithms and laboring on food delivery platforms in China

Sun, Ping

doi:10.1080/17544750.2019.1583676

Cited by 163 publications

(142 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Regarding the use of new technologies such as geolocation, algorithmic management, and gamification techniques, the main findings agree with previous research on the Deliveroo app on the different variables that are taken into account to assess platform couriers, through which its workers receive regular, algorithmically-generated encouragement to improve their performance via the app [42]. Third, the use of gamification techniques' findings is related to previous research about the purpose of gamification in work, which lies in the attribution of game-like qualities to work tasks and is thought to increase productivity by introducing an emotional element to it [43,44]. In this regard, Case 19 comments on introducing gamification techniques as something that is freely followed by platform couriers just taking into account individual behaviors and impacts, although previous research has stated its impact on incentivizing competition amongst peers [45].…”

Section: Theoretical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Sustainable Platform Economy: Connections with the Sustainable Development Goals

2020

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The platform economy is growing exponentially while creating expectations for its potential to contribute to a sustainable development. However, research aimed at showing the potential contribution of each platform’s business model to sustainable development is needed. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are driving the policy agenda, but it remains unclear how far they encourage a sustainable platform economy. First, this article aims to study how each different type of platform contributes to sustainable development. Second, it analyses if and how the factors that contribute to the sustainable design of platforms are considered in SDGs. The paper departs from a framework of sustainable democratic qualities of the platform economy that considers governance, economic sustainability, technological and data policies, social responsibility, and external impact dimensions. The study is based on an empirical analysis of 60 platforms. The results show that a sustainable design of a platform economy promotes sustainable development. Furthermore, the contributions of the sustainable dimensions of a platform to SDGs are mainly connected to the impact and responsibility and the economic model, but governance and data dimensions are not present in the SDGs. This suggests that SDGs should improve their digital perspective to intertwine better with the sustainable platforms.

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Section: Theoretical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Sustainable Platform Economy: Connections with the Sustainable Development Goals

2020

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“…Restaurants can use existing staff for self-delivery, such as the use of waiters in some small restaurants or they may use specialized delivery teams who are specifically employed and trained for this role, as is seen with some of the big restaurant brands, such as KFC, Domino's, and Xibei. Alternatively, restaurants can employ crowdsourcing logistics, a network of delivery people (riders) who are independent contractors, a model that provides an efficient, low-cost approach to food delivery [14]. Online FD platforms can either be responsible for recruiting and training professional delivery people, or they may also resort to crowdsourcing logistics, using delivery people who are not necessarily employed by the online FD platform.…”

Section: Online Fd Providers and Their Delivery Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Online Food Delivery Platforms and their Impacts on Sustainability

2020

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During the global 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, the advantages of online food delivery (FD) were obvious, as it facilitated consumer access to prepared meals and enabled food providers to keep operating. However, online FD is not without its critics, with reports of consumer and restaurant boycotts. It is, therefore, time to take stock and consider the broader impacts of online FD, and what they mean for the stakeholders involved. Using the three pillars of sustainability as a lens through which to consider the impacts, this review presents the most up-to-date research in this field, revealing a raft of positive and negative impacts. From an economic standpoint, while online FD provides job and sale opportunities, it has been criticized for the high commission it charges restaurants and questionable working conditions for delivery people. From a social perspective, online FD affects the relationship between consumers and their food, as well as influencing public health outcomes and traffic systems. Environmental impacts include the significant generation of waste and its high carbon footprints. Moving forward, stakeholders must consider how best to mitigate the negative and promote the positive impacts of online FD to ensure that it is sustainable in every sense.

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“…Many platform workers are not regarded as direct employees of platform companies and so are excluded from the protection of employment laws. Studies have also reported long working hours, low piece rates, and algorithm-controlled labour processes associated with platform jobs (Wu et al 2019;Sun 2019).…”

Section: Labour Agency In a Changing Labour Marketmentioning

confidence: 99%

Editorial – Precarity, Platforms, and Agency: The Multiplication of Chinese Labour

Chan

Florence

Qiu³

2021

chinaperspectives

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Your order, their labor: An exploration of algorithms and laboring on food delivery platforms in China

Cited by 163 publications

References 24 publications

Sustainable Platform Economy: Connections with the Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Platform Economy: Connections with the Sustainable Development Goals

Review of Online Food Delivery Platforms and their Impacts on Sustainability

Editorial – Precarity, Platforms, and Agency: The Multiplication of Chinese Labour

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