Platform economy, collaborative economy, sharing economy, on-demand economy, gig economy - while there are still discussions on terminology to describe the new reality, the phenomenon is growing and gaining attention in the public debate on the future of work.
There is also no standard definition of platform work and it varies from one country to another. Digital platforms are heterogeneous and execute a variety of business models. We need to differentiate digital labour platforms from digital marketplaces, search engines or social media.
Platform work can differ along several dimensions, including the relationship between the worker and the platform. What is common, however, are the transactions mediated by a specific software program (app or website), which matches customers and clients by an algorithm, with workers who provide services in return for money. We can also draw a line between labour services provided fully digitally and services performed on-location (for example transport, delivery, housekeeping or similar).
In this blog series we would like to explore different dimensions of the platform work. Being it a relatively new form of work, we are in quest of the right approaches to build on its opportunities while mitigating challenges it brings. We look forward to discussing with you, sharing research, visions and solutions.
The increased digitalisation of work prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic may further foster the demand for digitally delivered services in the future. Is the platform work set to be the future of work?
Thanks Iwona for launching this fascinating discussion. I truly believe that platform work will become more and more relevant everywhere, including in ETF partner countries. It is also a powerful way to have real ‘jobs without borders’, therefore offering incredible opportunities.
I also think about groups of people who are traditionally excluded from the market: platform work could become the instrument for their inclusion, assuming that they are equipped with the right skills to grasp this opportunity.
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