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Homines Diversi: Heterogeneous Earner Behaviors in the Platform Economy
- Source :
- Sociologica, Vol 14, Iss 3, Pp 143-165 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- University of Bologna, 2021.
-
Abstract
- The platform economy has entered its second decade, and researchers are developing new theorizations of it as an economic form. One important feature is a heterogeneous labor force with respect to hours of work. In this paper, we identify another type of heterogeneity, which is the diversity of economic orientation of earners. Using in-depth interview data from 102 earners on three platforms (Airbnb, TaskRabbit, and StocksyUnited) we find that even within individual platforms, earners have different behavioral models. We have identified three — the maximizing homo economicus; sociologists’ relational homo socialis; and homo instrumentalis. We present evidence of these three types. We then discuss platform policies and how earner diversity aligns with their imperatives for growth.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19718853
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Sociologica
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.48c93bd1119245b987fe11144f48874d
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1971-8853/11508