Leveraging independent workers in the knowledge-based gig economy through supportive Human Resource Management practices

Abstract

The gig economy represents a new work arrangement which is characterised by on-demand, increasingly digitally-enabled, short-term relationships with an organisation. Due to the seemingly detached nature of this work, perceptions of organisation support may be low, which may present a challenge to organisations in terms of obtaining the full business value from the gig workforce, particularly in the knowledge-based context. Organisations will be required to reconsider the manner in which they engage with talent in the gig economy, in order to leverage them effectively towards the achievement of business objectives. The aim of this research therefore was to determine the supportive Human Resource Management (HRM) practices to be implemented by organisations in order to better leverage the knowledge-based gig economy. Furthermore, the research sought to understand how these HRM practices are influenced by the complexity of the task, as well as the role of digital labour platforms in supporting in the provision of HRM practices, given their increasingly prominent role within the gig economy. A qualitative, exploratory research methodology was used to gain insight into the specific HRM practices required for knowledge-based gig workers, which would lead to positive perceptions of organisational support. The study consisted of 16 semi-structured, in depth interviews with a range of independent workers within the knowledge-based gig economy. The supportive HRM practices were identified as engagement support, clear structures and processes, remuneration and rewards, autonomy and flexibility, fairly applied practices, learning and development, as well as performance feedback. To assist organisations in practically implementing these practices, specific actions were included relating to each. The study also provided insight on the preferred supportive HRM practices based on the complexity of the task, and recommendations on the role of digital labour platforms in the provision of HRM support to gig workers within an ecosystem with organisations.