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Ethical challenges for same-day delivery contractors

Chun-Miin (Jimmy) Chen (Department of Analytics and Operations Management, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA)
Xinwei Chen (School of Finance and Operations Management, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA)

International Journal of Ethics and Systems

ISSN: 2514-9369

Article publication date: 2 December 2024

32

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the ethical challenges within same-day delivery (SDD) operations in the gig economy, focusing on promoting fairness and justice for independent contractors by applying Rawlsian justice principles.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a philosophical and theoretical methodology, the authors synthesize insights from business ethics, corporate governance and Rawlsian ethical theories. This study critically examines the application of these theories within SDD business models through a comparative analysis of seminal and contemporary ethical discussions. Importantly, the authors reverse the traditional antecedents, decisions and outcomes framework to start with outcomes, offering a novel methodological execution that enhances the study’s approach to ethical research.

Findings

The analysis identifies pronounced ethical deficiencies in treating SDD contractors, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms. The study proposes a series of hypotheses to rectify these issues, including recommendations for enhancing algorithmic transparency, ensuring equitable compensation and fortifying worker protections. These proposed changes advocate for restructuring corporate policies to foster a fairer SDD business environment.

Originality/value

By interweaving Rawlsian ethical principles with practical corporate responsibilities specific to the gig economy, this paper enriches the discourse on business ethics. It introduces a novel framework for analyzing the ethical treatment of gig workers, proposing actionable strategies that bridge theoretical ethics with real-world applications. This approach advances academic understanding and guides industry practices toward more ethical and sustainable models.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by the Freeman College Summer Professional Development Program through a Summer Research Grant, which facilitated the time and resources for this project.

This manuscript has no conflicts of interest or research involving human participants or animals. No issues requiring informed consent were present. For language improvements and readability, we used a generative artificial intelligence tool, functioning similarly to traditional spell-check and grammar-edit tools.

Citation

Chen, C.-M.(J). and Chen, X. (2024), "Ethical challenges for same-day delivery contractors", International Journal of Ethics and Systems, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-07-2024-0208

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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