平台工作自主吗?在线劳动平台算法管理对工作自主性的影响

Is the Platform Work Autonomous? The Effect of Online Labor Platform Algorithm Management on Job Autonomy

数字技术的发展催生出新型灵活就业形式,在线劳动平台通过互联网连接劳工方和用工方,利用算法技术和数据信息实现劳动供给和需求的快速精准匹配。过去的研究认为,在线劳动平台作为共享经济下工作者实现灵活就业、创造价值的新场所,提供了更加灵活自主的工作机会。但事实上,在线平台通过算法技术加强了对劳动过程的控制,工作者在行为上的自主性受到限制与主观知觉上相信自主性能力增强的差异即工作自主悖论现象逐渐受到学术界的广泛关注。本文在系统梳理在线劳动平台算法管理与工作自主性相关文献的基础上,围绕"平台工作自主吗"这一核心问题展开探讨,从交易成本理论视角出发针对算法管理影响工作自主性的代表性研究成果进行述评,同时基于权力依赖理论阐释了工作自主悖论现象的形成机制及影响效应,最后提出了该领域未来的研究方向。

The development of digital technology has created new and flexible forms of employment.The online labor platform connects the employee and the employer through the Internet.Based on algorithm technology and data information,it rapidly and accurately matches the labor supply and demand.Previous studies reveal that the online labor platform,as a new place for workers to achieve flexible employment and create value under the gig economy background,provides a more flexible and independent work opportunity.The online platform has strengthened the control for the labor process by adopting algorithm technology,and the difference between the worker’s constrains of autonomy in workplace behavior and subjective perceptions of the increased autonomy,that is,the job autonomy paradox has gradually attracted attention from the academia circle.This paper systematically sorts out the related literature of online labor platform algorithm management and job autonomy,and discusses the core question of"is the platform work autonomous".Subsequently,from the perspective of transaction cost theory,the representative research results of algorithm management affecting job autonomy are reviewed.At the same time,it explains the formation mechanism and influence effect of the autonomy paradox based on the theory of power dependence,and finally draws the following conclusions:Firstly,online labor platform algorithm management influences job autonomy from the work preparation stage,the work execution stage and the work feedback stage respectively.Specifically,in addition to the algorithm technology connectivity to realize the flexible and autonomous matching of labor supply and demand,which is conducive to the improvement of job autonomy,algorithm management weakens job autonomy from task allocation,behavior control,digital reputation,performance evaluation and dynamic compensation,etc.Secondly,algorithm management weakens the autonomy of workers and reduces job autonomy.In this case,platform workers are trapped in the negative cycle of autonomy paradox,which is constantly extending working hours and increasing labor intensity to strengthen labor.The formation mechanism of autonomy paradox can be based on the power dependence theory.Thirdly,the autonomy paradox will have a negative impact on workers from psychological and behavioral levels,which will eventually hinder the long-term development of the organization.However,there are still many deficiencies in existing studies,and future research could be done along the following lines:Firstly,the concept of algorithm management could be defined in a structured and systematic way.Secondly,future research could focus on promoting empirical study with multiple methods and technical means.Thirdly,future research could enrich theoretical perspectives to explain the mechanism of online labor platform algorithm management affecting job autonomy and the formation mechanism of autonomy paradox.Fourthly,future research could explore the boundary condition of autonomy paradox.Finally,future research could expand local studies in the context of China.