What difference does the gig mobility service make in the workers’ human needs structure?

Abstract

This paper aims to compare and contrast the perceived psychological experience of the traditional versus gig mobility service workers with respect to their human needs structure. Gig mobility service here refers to on-demand transportation service enabled by an online platform. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Using the perspective of ERG (Existence, Relatedness and Growth) theory, we first explored the field using in-depth interviews and observations of both worker groups. Based on the qualitative findings, we formulated the quantitative measures for the corresponding constructs. The constructs’ relationship and paths differences between the two groups were analyzed statistically using partial least square path modeling (PLS-PM) method. The differences between the two groups were categorized into four quadrants, highlighting what both groups have and do not have, as well as what one group has but not the other. It was found that the gig mobility service resulted in not only more relationships among the constructs, but also generally higher perceived well-being for the workers. It seems that the gig mobility service has so far been promising in meeting workers human needs despite its long-term uncertainty. This study is among the few studies on understanding in which way the technology has changed the mobility service actors seen as workers, rather than sellers or users.