2021/03/24 by Alex J. Wood, Vili Lehdonvirta · 1 voice · 2 citations
Business, Management and Accounting · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Digital Economy and Work Transformation #Sharing Economy and Platforms #Taxation and Compliance Studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/ser/mwab016
openalex publication_date 2021/03/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Abstract This article investigates why gig economy workers who see themselves as self-employed freelancers also engage in collective action traditionally associated with regular employment. Using ethnographic evidence on the remote gig economy in North America, the UK and the Philippines, we argue that labour platforms increase the agency of workers to contract with clients and thus reduce the risk of false self-employment in terms of the worker–client relationship. However, in doing so, platforms create a new source of subordination to the platform itself. We term this phenomenon ‘subordinated agency’, and demonstrate that it entails a ‘structured antagonism’ with platforms that manifests in three areas: fees, competition and worker voice mechanisms. Subordinated agency creates worker desire for representation, greater voice and even unionization towards the platform, while preserving entrepreneurial attitudes towards clients.