The “AI Mode”: How Food Delivery Riders in the Netherlands and South Korea Experience Algorithmic Management
This study investigates the complex dynamics between algorithmic management and worker agency, focusing on food delivery riders in the Netherlands and South Korea. A combination of digital observation, semi-structured interviews, and personal work experience is utilised to examine how platforms like...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Bologna
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Italian Labour Law e-Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://illej.unibo.it/article/view/20869 |
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| author | Seonok Lee |
| author_facet | Seonok Lee |
| author_sort | Seonok Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the complex dynamics between algorithmic management and worker agency, focusing on food delivery riders in the Netherlands and South Korea. A combination of digital observation, semi-structured interviews, and personal work experience is utilised to examine how platforms like Thuisbezorgd, Uber Eats, Bamin, and Coupang Eats use algorithmic tools, penalties, and incentives, to control labour. Findings highlight that algorithmic management impacts riders’ autonomy, income stability, safety, and working conditions, often creating dependency on the platform while restricting upward mobility. Riders exhibit diverse responses: younger part-time workers approach AI-driven systems with curiosity, while many full-time self-employed riders express frustration over diminished autonomy and precarious working conditions. Additionally, the study highlights the symbolic importance of features such as the “accept or decline” option, which provides riders with a semblance of autonomy and control. While these features are often more symbolic than substantive, they allow riders to construct a narrative of self-reliance and dignity within a system characterised by pervasive control. The research underscores the need to understand the intricate interplay between algorithmic management and worker agency in the platform economy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-16f7c63ad96342fa82792061acd49c29 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1561-8048 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Bologna |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Italian Labour Law e-Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-16f7c63ad96342fa82792061acd49c292025-01-15T15:46:15ZengUniversity of BolognaItalian Labour Law e-Journal1561-80482024-12-01172678810.6092/issn.1561-8048/2086919241The “AI Mode”: How Food Delivery Riders in the Netherlands and South Korea Experience Algorithmic ManagementSeonok Lee0University of GroningenThis study investigates the complex dynamics between algorithmic management and worker agency, focusing on food delivery riders in the Netherlands and South Korea. A combination of digital observation, semi-structured interviews, and personal work experience is utilised to examine how platforms like Thuisbezorgd, Uber Eats, Bamin, and Coupang Eats use algorithmic tools, penalties, and incentives, to control labour. Findings highlight that algorithmic management impacts riders’ autonomy, income stability, safety, and working conditions, often creating dependency on the platform while restricting upward mobility. Riders exhibit diverse responses: younger part-time workers approach AI-driven systems with curiosity, while many full-time self-employed riders express frustration over diminished autonomy and precarious working conditions. Additionally, the study highlights the symbolic importance of features such as the “accept or decline” option, which provides riders with a semblance of autonomy and control. While these features are often more symbolic than substantive, they allow riders to construct a narrative of self-reliance and dignity within a system characterised by pervasive control. The research underscores the need to understand the intricate interplay between algorithmic management and worker agency in the platform economy.https://illej.unibo.it/article/view/20869food delivery platformsplatform labouralgorithmic managementworkers’ experiencenetherlandssouth korea |
| spellingShingle | Seonok Lee The “AI Mode”: How Food Delivery Riders in the Netherlands and South Korea Experience Algorithmic Management Italian Labour Law e-Journal food delivery platforms platform labour algorithmic management workers’ experience netherlands south korea |
| title | The “AI Mode”: How Food Delivery Riders in the Netherlands and South Korea Experience Algorithmic Management |
| title_full | The “AI Mode”: How Food Delivery Riders in the Netherlands and South Korea Experience Algorithmic Management |
| title_fullStr | The “AI Mode”: How Food Delivery Riders in the Netherlands and South Korea Experience Algorithmic Management |
| title_full_unstemmed | The “AI Mode”: How Food Delivery Riders in the Netherlands and South Korea Experience Algorithmic Management |
| title_short | The “AI Mode”: How Food Delivery Riders in the Netherlands and South Korea Experience Algorithmic Management |
| title_sort | ai mode how food delivery riders in the netherlands and south korea experience algorithmic management |
| topic | food delivery platforms platform labour algorithmic management workers’ experience netherlands south korea |
| url | https://illej.unibo.it/article/view/20869 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT seonoklee theaimodehowfooddeliveryridersinthenetherlandsandsouthkoreaexperiencealgorithmicmanagement AT seonoklee aimodehowfooddeliveryridersinthenetherlandsandsouthkoreaexperiencealgorithmicmanagement |