Algorithmic Labor and Information Asymmetries: A Case Study of Uber's Drivers.

Uber manages a large, disaggregated workforce through its ridehail platform, one that delivers a relatively standardized experience to passengers while simultaneously promoting its drivers as entrepreneurs whose work is characterized by freedom, flexibility, and independence. Through a nine-month em...

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Publicado en:International Journal of Communication (19328036) Vol. 10; pp. 3758 - 3785
Autores principales: ROSENBLAT, ALEX, STARK, LUKE
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: University of Southern California, USC Annenberg Press 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      pub: University of Southern California, USC Annenberg Press
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        atl: Algorithmic Labor and Information Asymmetries: A Case Study of Uber's Drivers.
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          ROSENBLAT, ALEX
          STARK, LUKE
        affil:
          Data & Society Research Institute, USA
          New York University, USA
      su:
        Uber Technologies Inc.
        Communication
        Taxicab drivers
        Algorithm software
        Ridesharing services
      sug:
        subj:
          Communication
          Uber Technologies Inc.
          Taxi Service
          All Other Support Activities for Transportation
          Taxicab drivers
          Algorithm software
          Ridesharing services
      keyword:
        algorithm
        data
        design
        entrepreneurship
        independent contractor
        labor
        management
        on-demand economy
        platform
        rating
        ridehailing
        ridesharing
        sharing economy
        surge pricing
        Uber
        algorithm
        data
        design
        entrepreneurship
        independent contractor
        labor
        management
        on-demand economy
        platform
        rating
        ridehailing
        ridesharing
        sharing economy
        surge pricing
        Uber
      ab: Uber manages a large, disaggregated workforce through its ridehail platform, one that delivers a relatively standardized experience to passengers while simultaneously promoting its drivers as entrepreneurs whose work is characterized by freedom, flexibility, and independence. Through a nine-month empirical study of Uber driver experiences, we found that Uber does leverage significant indirect control over how drivers do their jobs. Our conclusions are twofold: First, the information and power asymmetries produced by the Uber application are fundamental to its ability to structure control over its workers; second, the rhetorical invocations of digital technology and algorithms are used to structure asymmetric corporate relationships to labor, which favor the former. Our study of the Uber driver experience points to the need for greater attention to the role of platform disintermediation in shaping power relations and communications between employers and workers.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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