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How algorithms make the workplace -- A qualitative analysis of Chinese couriers
medRxiv - Occupational and Environmental Health Pub Date : 2024-09-12 , DOI: 10.1101/2022.09.13.22279887 Hua Wei , Huiyue Shi , Yilin Kou , Mengke Yu , Yanzhuo Wang , Shugang Li , Sheng Li , Christopher J. Armitage , Tarani Chandola , Pauline Whelan , Yanchun Zhang , Yan Xu , Martie van Tongeren
medRxiv - Occupational and Environmental Health Pub Date : 2024-09-12 , DOI: 10.1101/2022.09.13.22279887 Hua Wei , Huiyue Shi , Yilin Kou , Mengke Yu , Yanzhuo Wang , Shugang Li , Sheng Li , Christopher J. Armitage , Tarani Chandola , Pauline Whelan , Yanchun Zhang , Yan Xu , Martie van Tongeren
Introduction Algorithmic management (AM) is rapidly changing how work is organized and managed globally. Courier work is one of the most affected occupations due to the common use of digital labour platforms. Existing research about AM has predominantly focused on its functionalities and failed to capture the underlying mechanism of AM as a potential source of work stress. This study aimed to fill the gap and explore how AM change Chinese couriers work experience.
Method We conducted 15 in-depth interviews with couriers in May-June 2021 in China. Thematic analysis was completed using Nvivo 12. Results Couriers responses to AM and its effects varied as some felt motivated while others frustrated. AM can introduce new work stressors and interact with existing factors to alleviate or intensify work stress. Key themes emerged from the interviews included App the boss, Unequal exposure to AM and the role of human support, New work stressors of AM: Dehumanization and Datafication, Job stressors intensified by AM and Varying individual response to AM. App the boss described how the couriers felt when managed by algorithms. Employed, gig and agency couriers had different exposure to AM and human support of different quality. Dehumanization characterizes how algorithmic systems fulfil managerial functions in ways that differ from managers qualitatively or quantitatively. Datafication refers to the conversion of real-world information and user behaviour into data and being input in the system to assist automated decision-making. Couriers also reported that the use of digital methods could intensify some work stressors, e.g. time pressure and customer behavior. Nevertheless, some couriers reported that AM provided new job resources, e.g. flexible hours, job opportunities, pay transparency, and bypassing office politics. Conclusion This paper identified key work stressors of AM and explored how AM interacts with existing work stressors to shape Chinese couriers work experience. Dehumanization could reduce the quality of support and their sense of relatedness to the workplace. Datafication or extraction of data from workers and lack of transparency led to concerns about potential discrimination, workplace unfairness and power imbalance. Couriers responses to AM varied and future research should take such heterogeneity into account.
更新日期：2024-09-13
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