2023/07/17 by Caleb Goods, Alex Veen, Tom Barratt +1
Business, Management and Accounting · Social Sciences · #Digital Economy and Work Transformation #Labor Movements and Unions #Sharing Economy and Platforms
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/irel.12340
openalex publication_date 2023/07/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Abstract Consumers play an integral role in the labor process of app‐based food delivery services through their consumption behaviors and performance ratings of workers. Some therefore see them as a potential ally of workers, whereas others view them as beholden by capital. This quantitative study uses power resource theory and a Rasch model to appraise consumers' understandings and attitudes toward working conditions in this segment of the “gig” economy. Drawing on two surveys of 1820 Australian consumers, we find that consumers are a potential yet heterogenous coalitional power resource who may align with workers on certain entitlements like minimum wages.