The impetus for Gig employment in the digital economy: A systematic review

Abstract

A fast-growing number of workers have turned to digital platforms as an alternative to traditional work arrangements. Digital platform work is assumed as short term, temporary ‘gigs’ interceded by businesses that are linking self-employed workers to clients via an application. This study explores the factors that influence the growth of gig employment in the digital economy. The study uses a systematic review to obtain relevant data from Google Scholar, Taylor and Francis and Science Direct. The study revealed that autonomy, flexibility, value creation and performance feedback motivate individuals to work as gig workers. The findings show how digital platforms have developed to attract individuals to participate as gig workers in the sharing economy. The paper contributes to the literature by highlighting factors that drives the development of digital platforms. The results of this study have implications for future research on gig employment to the society and businesses.  

Keywords: {'name': 'Digital Economy, Freelancers, Gig Employment, Gig Workers, Crowdsourcing'}

Authors & affiliations

Arvid Muzanenhamo
Durban University of Technology

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41491

DOI: 10.1177/0008125617738255

DOI: 10.1111/joms.12140

DOI: 10.1108/JSTP-04-2016-0071

DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2019.02.007

DOI: 10.4135/9781473914964.n26

DOI: 10.1177/002795011724000110

DOI: 10.25300/MISQ/2016/40.2.01

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12558-x

DOI: 10.1002/soej.12338

DOI: 10.1007/s12599-016-0438-0

DOI: 10.1080/07421222.2019.1705506

DOI: 10.1108/EJIM-10-2022-0570

DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3607-2

DOI: 10.1038/s44159-022-00056-w

DOI: 10.1016/0030-5073(76)90016-7

DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2017.1384395

Joanna Briggs Institute. (2001). An introduction to systematic reviews: Evidence-based practice information sheets for health professionals.

DOI: 10.1177/0022185619865480

DOI: 10.1177/014107680309600304

DOI: 10.5465/amp.2015.0111

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104241

DOI: 10.1287/isre.1070.0113

DOI: 10.3390/su13095023

DOI: 10.1109/EMR.2010.5559142

DOI: 10.22381/PIHRM6220182

Moussawi, S., & Koufaris, M. (2013). The crowd on the assembly line: Designing tasks for a better crowdsourcing experience. International Conference on Information Systems Proceedings.

DOI: 10.9770/jesi.2022.10.2(29)

DOI: 10.1163/24714607-bja10113

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3270867

DOI: 10.1108/00251740810854168

DOI: 10.1108/CDI-06-2022-0181

DOI: 10.53555/kuey.v30i6.5561

DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-00768-3

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdec.2025.07.005

DOI: 10.1111/tesg.12455

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2017.04.010

DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.46.2.186.11926

DOI: 10.2307/30036540

DOI: 10.17705/1jais.00428

DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2020.1867613

DOI: 10.1177/0950017018785616

DOI: 10.1177/0038038519828906

World Bank. (2023). Demand for online gig work rapidly rising in developing countries. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/09/07/demand-for-online-gig-work-rapidly-rising-in-developing-countries

DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2010.01.013

DOI: 10.3390/su14010256