Platform Work as a Source of Satisfaction – Its Merits and Demerits in the Opinion of Poles

Abstract

Goal – the article aims to identify the characteristics of platform work (PW) as a potential source of satisfaction, based on the opinions of adult Poles. It draws on the approaches to job satisfaction derived from neoclassical economics and psychological concepts of work. Research methodology – the characteristics of PW were compiled through the review of extant literature. The opinions were collected in a diagnostic survey using an online questionnaire filled and returned by a representative sample of 3165 Poles. The survey identified a group declaring to have the knowledge of platform-mediated work opportunities, which ultimately contained 2099 respondents. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this was the first survey in Poland on the perception of the characteristics of work mediated through digital platforms conducted on such a large scale. Score/results – the study showed that major benefits of PW relate to contractor autonomy and concern the freedom of choice when and how long to work. The most frequently identified demerit, on the other hand, concerns work remuneration and it is the instability of income. Originality/value – the originality of the study stems from the quantitative representation of the opinions concerning the characteristics of platform-mediated work, divided into merits and demerits classified under three categories: labour income, contractor autonomy, and working conditions.