Work

“We are like little elves who never get their own name” - Navigating the experience of precariousness in platform work

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Although platform work has attracted research across disciplines in recent years, our understanding of how platform workers experience precariousness remains limited. Through a qualitative study of food delivery couriers in Finland, this paper seeks to advance knowledge of how workers navigate their experience of precariousness in the context of platform work. We identify four aspects of work-related precariousness encountered by platform workers and outline four job crafting mechanisms they use to navigate their experience of precariousness. These findings provide contextual insights into platform workers’ experience of precariousness in an egalitarian country. By exploring platform workers’ experiences and navigating mechanisms, we contribute to the existing body of knowledge on platform work and job crafting, offering a deeper understanding of this non-traditional work context.

Source: European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology

DOI: 10.1080/1359432x.2025.2517587

Authors: Hanh Thi Duc Doan, Marjo-Riitta Diehl

Institution: Aalto University

Language: English

Topic: Digital Economy and Work Transformation

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, No poverty

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Aalto-Yliopisto