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Politics of on‐demand food delivery: Policy design and the power of algorithms

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  • Meng‐Hsuan Chou
  • Catherine Gomes

Abstract

In this article, we examine the politics of on‐demand food delivery using insights from the theory of social construction and policy design. On‐demand food delivery is a service built on algorithm‐based technology known for its precarity and physical risks for couriers. We compare how the on‐demand food delivery sector is regulated and its observable effects in two Asia‐Pacific cities with contrasting food courier profiles: Melbourne, Australia (international students), and Singapore (citizens, permanent residents). We show how the social construction of food couriers in other policy subsystems (migration, higher education, citizenship) affects debates of their fair treatment in the on‐demand food delivery sector. By interrogating the politics of digitally enabled versions of reality, we argue for embracing a design perspective to identify how reforms could be introduced in change‐resistant sectors. En este artículo, examinamos la política de entrega de alimentos a pedido utilizando conocimientos de la teoría de la construcción social y el diseño de políticas. La entrega de alimentos a pedido es un servicio basado en tecnología basada en algoritmos conocida por su precariedad y riesgos físicos para los mensajeros. Comparamos cómo se regula el sector de entrega de alimentos a pedido y sus efectos observables en dos ciudades de Asia‐Pacífico con perfiles de mensajería de alimentos contrastantes: Melbourne, Australia (estudiantes internacionales) y Singapur (ciudadanos, residentes permanentes). Mostramos cómo la construcción social de los mensajeros de alimentos en otros subsistemas de políticas (migración, educación superior, ciudadanía) afecta los debates sobre su trato justo en el sector de entrega de alimentos a pedido. Al cuestionar la política de las versiones de la realidad habilitadas digitalmente, defendemos la adopción de una perspectiva de diseño para identificar cómo se podrían introducir reformas en sectores resistentes al cambio. 本文中，我们使用社会建构和政策设计理论来分析按需送餐之政治。按需送餐是一项建立在基于算法技术之上的服务，该服务对送餐员带来不稳定性和身体风险，这是为人熟知的。我们比较了按需送餐行业的监管方式及其在两个亚太城市的明显影响，这两个城市的送餐员概况截然不同:澳大利亚墨尔本的送餐员为国际学生，新加坡的送餐员为当地公民和永久居民。我们展示了其他政策子系统(移民、高等教育、公民身份)中对送餐员的社会建构如何影响关于“送餐员在按需送餐行业中的公平待遇”的辩论。通过分析数字化现实版本的政治，我们主张透过设计视角来确定如何在抵制变革的部门中引入改革。

Suggested Citation

  • Meng‐Hsuan Chou & Catherine Gomes, 2023. "Politics of on‐demand food delivery: Policy design and the power of algorithms," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 40(5), pages 646-664, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revpol:v:40:y:2023:i:5:p:646-664
    DOI: 10.1111/ropr.12543
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    References listed on IDEAS

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