The powerless bosses: the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeing
Abstract Background Bicycle messengers in the online food delivery sector typically work on an on-demand basis, have digitally mediated relationships with their employer, and have very limited labor rights. In this study, we explore how bicycle messengers themselves experience their workday and how...
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02311-6 |
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| author | Iben Østin Hjelle Helle Nordrum Julian-Werner Wentzeck Ali Teymoori |
| author_facet | Iben Østin Hjelle Helle Nordrum Julian-Werner Wentzeck Ali Teymoori |
| author_sort | Iben Østin Hjelle |
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| description | Abstract Background Bicycle messengers in the online food delivery sector typically work on an on-demand basis, have digitally mediated relationships with their employer, and have very limited labor rights. In this study, we explore how bicycle messengers themselves experience their workday and how platform work influences their identity and wellbeing. Method We conducted qualitative interviews with ten bicycle messengers working for Foodora and Wolt in Bergen and Oslo, Norway. We used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the interviews. Results We discerned five themes related to the dynamics of autonomy versus algorithmic control, the reduction of workers’ identity to the courier role, lack of collegial bonding among bicycle messengers, physical demands and risks of the job, and the transitory nature of courier work. Conclusion The working experience of bicycle messengers is marked by a paradoxical sense of autonomy and powerlessness in the face of algorithmic control, a perceived sense of devaluation by others and its reproduction among their own colleagues, and competitive and at times hostile intra- and inter-group dynamics. We explore the implications of such working experiences for bicycle messengers’ wellbeing and identity within this newly evolving form of labor. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-52f07c33ebe745599a0a2c0fe5bac81d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-52f07c33ebe745599a0a2c0fe5bac81d2025-01-05T12:50:26ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-12-0112111310.1186/s40359-024-02311-6The powerless bosses: the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeingIben Østin Hjelle0Helle Nordrum1Julian-Werner Wentzeck2Ali Teymoori3Department of Psychosocial Science, University of BergenDepartment of Psychosocial Science, University of BergenDepartment of Psychosocial Science, University of BergenDepartment of Psychosocial Science, University of BergenAbstract Background Bicycle messengers in the online food delivery sector typically work on an on-demand basis, have digitally mediated relationships with their employer, and have very limited labor rights. In this study, we explore how bicycle messengers themselves experience their workday and how platform work influences their identity and wellbeing. Method We conducted qualitative interviews with ten bicycle messengers working for Foodora and Wolt in Bergen and Oslo, Norway. We used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the interviews. Results We discerned five themes related to the dynamics of autonomy versus algorithmic control, the reduction of workers’ identity to the courier role, lack of collegial bonding among bicycle messengers, physical demands and risks of the job, and the transitory nature of courier work. Conclusion The working experience of bicycle messengers is marked by a paradoxical sense of autonomy and powerlessness in the face of algorithmic control, a perceived sense of devaluation by others and its reproduction among their own colleagues, and competitive and at times hostile intra- and inter-group dynamics. We explore the implications of such working experiences for bicycle messengers’ wellbeing and identity within this newly evolving form of labor.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02311-6Bicycle messengersEmployment relationsGig/platform economyGroup dynamicsPersonal and social identityPrecarity |
| spellingShingle | Iben Østin Hjelle Helle Nordrum Julian-Werner Wentzeck Ali Teymoori The powerless bosses: the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeing BMC Psychology Bicycle messengers Employment relations Gig/platform economy Group dynamics Personal and social identity Precarity |
| title | The powerless bosses: the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeing |
| title_full | The powerless bosses: the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeing |
| title_fullStr | The powerless bosses: the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeing |
| title_full_unstemmed | The powerless bosses: the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeing |
| title_short | The powerless bosses: the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeing |
| title_sort | powerless bosses the working day experience of bicycle messengers and its impact on their identities and wellbeing |
| topic | Bicycle messengers Employment relations Gig/platform economy Group dynamics Personal and social identity Precarity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02311-6 |
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