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Sharing in the gig economy: from equitable work relations to exploitative HRM

Sophie Le Brocq (University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK)
Emma Hughes (University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK)
Rory Donnelly (University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK)

Personnel Review

ISSN: 0048-3486

Article publication date: 17 November 2022

Issue publication date: 2 May 2023

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine human resource management (HRM) in the gig economy through a moral economy lens and to uncover how sharing and firm ownership influences the (un)ethical use of HRM practices and worker treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual and empirical insights from contemporary HRM literature are synthesised through a systematic literature review to elucidate pressing challenges for research and practice.

Findings

The analysis reveals that the different ownership structures used by gig firms shape the nature and degree of sharing. The gig economy built on investor ownership leads to greater sharing with investors and tends to be more exploitative of workers, whereas platforms built on collaborative ownership engage in greater peer-to-peer sharing which is more equitable and leads to higher quality work relations and HRM.

Practical implications

The closer an organisation's alignment with the more equitable/relational end of the gig economy spectrum, the better the work relations and HRM.

Originality/value

A new integrated conceptual spectrum of sharing in the gig economy is advanced, which aids in understanding evolving developments in HRM theory and practice.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This paper forms part of a special section “A Different World of Work: The Sharing Economy and (In)equity, Identity and Rewards”, guest edited by Yuliani Suseno and Chris Rowley.

Funding: No funding was received to conduct this research.

Disclosure statement: No financial interest or benefit has arisen from the direct applications of this research.

The authors would like to thank the special issue editor, Yuli Suseno, and the reviewers for their useful feedback during the review process.

Citation

Le Brocq, S., Hughes, E. and Donnelly, R. (2023), "Sharing in the gig economy: from equitable work relations to exploitative HRM", Personnel Review, Vol. 52 No. 3, pp. 454-469. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-04-2019-0219

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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