Adversaries or Cross-Organization Co-workers? Exploring the Relationship between Gig Workers and Conventional Employees
基于Instacart购物者和超市员工的原始数据，研究零工工人与常规员工如何互动，发现算法管理导致零工工人虐待员工，但频繁互动可建立合作跨组织关系，帮助零工工人获取资源并改善自身条件。
This article explores how gig workers interact with more conventional employees. Drawing on original qualitative and quantitative data from Instacart shoppers and grocery store staff, this article shows how Instacart’s algorithmic management system pushes shoppers to mistreat in-store staff. Yet for shoppers who frequently interact with staff, the author finds they develop cooperative, cross-organization co-worker relationships. These relationships grant shoppers access to resources typically reserved for staff, allowing them to navigate the algorithmic constraints that Instacart places on them. Findings show that platform companies’ use of algorithmic management tools can spill over to negatively affect the working conditions of conventional workers; but also, that gig workers can improve their own conditions by building relationships with their conventional peers.