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The Spread of Gig Economy: Trends and Effects

Author

Listed:
  • Nilanjan Banik

    (Bennett University (India))

  • Milind Padalkar

    (Bennett University (India))

Abstract

The development of online communication platforms has given rise to the phenomenon of the gig economy. A new economic model that embraces a variety of forms of short-term employment is rapidly spreading around the world, becoming an everyday reality and transforming the labor market. The article analyzes the factors influencing the dynamics of this process and its main effects. Testing the main hypothesis showed that the development of technological infrastructure, despite its importance, does not fully explain the unevenness of the penetration of the gig economy and the variations in its impact upon different sectors, professions, and skill levels. Gig economy drivers are subject to further study, but already now we can state the need for targeted measures to adapt the economy to the new model, including retraining or creating alternative employment opportunities for “traditional” workers giving up jobs in favor of gig-employed ones.

Suggested Citation

  • Nilanjan Banik & Milind Padalkar, 2021. "The Spread of Gig Economy: Trends and Effects," Foresight and STI Governance, National Research University Higher School of Economics, vol. 15(1), pages 19-29.
    • Handle: RePEc:hig:fsight:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:19-29
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    File URL: https://foresight-journal.hse.ru/data/2021/04/14/1387175601/2-Banik-19-29.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Navajas-Romero, Virginia & Muñoz-Benito, Rocío & Sánchez-Rodríguez, M. Isabel, 2026. "Rethinking job dimensions: The value of riders and gig economy workers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    3. Khan, Ali Nawaz & Khan, Naseer Abbas, 2024. "The gig economy's secret weapon: ChatGPT," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    4. Tri Minh Cao & Anh Ngoc Pham, 2024. "Generation differences in the gig economy in Vietnam," HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE - ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY, vol. 14(3), pages 59-76.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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