Independent Contractors Research Articles

An Assessment on the Prospect of Gig Economy to Create Employment Opportunity

The study describes a gig economy as a free market system in which enterprises regularly use independent contractors for temporary assignments and where temporary positions are prevalent. The so-called "gig economy" considerably impacts the workplace, seen in every sector of the economy. It has had a profound impact on how people interact with one another at work and has brought about a fundamental change in the way our economic study operates as a whole. Due to the unrivaled advantages of working as a gig economy worker, the number of people who do so will continue to increase. This is because many of the most skilled people opt to work as gig economy workers full-time. Moreover, because employment opportunities in Bangladesh are pretty uncommon, and many educated individuals with degrees still need help finding work, the gig economy will be an excellent option for all people still looking for work. Even while it provides workers with several benefits, such as flexibility, employment, independence, and many more, the gig economy also has a detrimental impact on the working environment inside the firm. The research uses 104 respondents' data, which gathers information on model variables and user demographics. For the research, the study has taken five variables: employment opportunity, labor market conditions, education and skill development, economic conditions, and government regulations. The study treated the employment opportunity as a dependent variable, while the other four were treated as independent variables. The purpose of this research is to find out the current developments in the gig economy and its advantages and downsides, both internationally and in Bangladesh, which have been discussed in this article. Moreover, how it can help create employment opportunities and help the country reduce unemployment.

Leading digital transformation: Dilemmas of a chief digital and information officer

The female protagonist of the case needs to make an important decision on whether to ‘stay or go’ in her current role at Kappa University. She had been in the university as a Chief Digital and Information Officer for nearly 3 years but was not given a strategic status, leaving her out of important decisions; yet she is responsible for the biggest budget of the university. The case raises issues on the strategic importance of digital transformation but also the recognition that female IT leaders may or may not have within their organisation and their influence on decision-making linked to digital transformation matters. The case explores the role of digital leaders and their relation to senior management; the challenges they face when not given a strategic role and the impact that this may have on the organisation’s experience with digital transformation. Further, the case provides the opportunity to students to compare and contrast different employment arrangements such as independent contracting and permanent employment. The case can be used on courses on digital transformation, digital strategy and IT leadership.

The current social protection discourse, gig economy within the advent of COVID-19: some emerging legal arguments

ABSTRACT Gig workers are classified as independent contractors, a designation often accompanied by limited rights – a recurring theme within employment laws across diverse jurisdictions. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the necessity for enhanced protections and benefits for gig workers. Many in this category have been disproportionately affected by the economic downturn and health risks associated with their work. Amidst evolving case law and legislative efforts, the recognition has grown that gig workers may require additional safeguards. There is an increasing argument that platforms should bear a measure of responsibility to ensure social protections for gig workers.

Abstract CT129: A phase 1 dose escalation study of a novel coupled CAR T cell therapy, GCC19CART, for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract Background: GCC19CART, the first clinical candidate from the CoupledCAR solid tumor platform, is designed to overcome the limitations of conventional CAR T-cells in solid tumor malignancies by pairing solid tumor CAR T-cells with CD19-targeting CAR T-cells to amplify the proliferation and activation of the solid tumor CAR T component. GCC19CART targets guanylate cyclase-C (GCC), which is reported to be expressed in the metastatic lesions of 70%-80% of subjects with colorectal cancers and largely restricted to the intestinal tract. A Phase 1 investigator-initiated clinical trial conducted in China showed preliminary efficacy with an overall response rate (ORR) at dose level 1 (1x106 CAR T-cells/kg) of 15.4% ORR (2/13) and 50% ORR (4/8) in dose level 2 (2x106 CAR T-cells/kg). Common side effects included cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and diarrhea/colitis. Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) was seen in a smaller proportion of patients. A phase 1 study was initiated in the United States in August 2022 for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to standard of care chemotherapy. As of a data cutoff on ​November 1, 2023, 4 subjects have been treated in the initial dose level. Methods: Subjects were initially screened for GCC expression; this requirement was later discontinued when immunohistochemistry studies revealed that the frequency of positive GCC expression exceeded 95%. Eligible subjects underwent leukapheresis, a single dose of lymphodepleting chemotherapy (fludarabine 30mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 300mg/m2) 3 days prior to infusion, and then administration of a single infusion of GCC19CART. Responses were assessed by RECIST v1.1 by site investigator review and an independent third-party imaging contract research organization. Results: 4 subjects have been dosed at level 1 (1x106 cells/kg) and completed the DLT period at the time of data cutoff. The most common adverse events were CRS in 4/4 subjects (Grade 1: 2/4 (50%) or Grade 2: 2/4 (50%)) and diarrhea in 3/4 subjects (Grade 1: 1/4 (25%), Grade 2: 1/4 (25%), or Grade 3: 1/4 (25%)). Three out of four patients had a mild tremor (Grade 1) that resolved with corticosteroids and no other evidence of neurotoxicity. The combined overall response rate (ORR) was 50% (2/4) by independent review. Two subjects demonstrated a partial response (PR) while 1 additional subject had partial metabolic response (PMR) on PET/CT with stable disease (SD) and 1 patient had progressive disease per RECIST 1.1. Per site investigator review, the ORR was 25%, with 1 confirmed PR and 3 SD assessed as best response. The median PFS was 3.8 months in the dose level 1 group. Conclusions: Preliminary results demonstrate that GCC19CART has meaningful clinical activity and an acceptable safety profile in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. This trial is ongoing and updated data will be presented, including from patients treated at dose level 2 (2x106 CAR T-cells/kg). Clinical trial information: NCT05319314. Citation Format: Bridget P. Keenan, Christopher H. Lieu, Marwan Fakih, Dongqi Chen, Lucy Lu, Eric Rowinsky, Victor Lu, Lei Xiao, Alan P. Venook, Benjamin Schlechter. A phase 1 dose escalation study of a novel coupled CAR T cell therapy, GCC19CART, for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr CT129.

Factors Affecting the Gig Economy of Labor Productivity in Ride Hailing Services

The development of the term "gig economy" is an alternative for workers amid economic instability where the basis of work is based on market demand. The gig economy system is characterized as freelancers or independent contractors who have short-term working relationships with a number of clients in return for a wage determined according to the task or amount of work. The purpose of this study is to explain and assess how elements such as religiosity, compensation, and work rights protection affect the productivity of the "gig economy" workforce in the ride-hailing services PT Gojek Indonesia. The object of this study, 122 GoJek drivers in Jabodetabek were surveyed quantitatively using the structural equation modeling method (SEM-PLS). The result of this study indicates that the factors of religiosity, compensation, work rights protection have a significant effect on the productivity of the "gig economy" workforce in ride-hailing services. The compensation factor is the most important one.

Experiencing the pull and push: influences on independent contractor motivation and job satisfaction

PurposeDrawing on organismic integration theory, we aim to examine whether the reasons independent contractors choose contract work are related to their on-the-job motivation and job satisfaction and whether their perceived support enhances positive (or buffers negative) effects.Design/methodology/approachWe collected data at three separate time points from 241 adjunct instructors to test a moderated mediation model using bootstrapping analyses.FindingsThe positive relationship between pull factors (e.g. autonomy) and job satisfaction is fully mediated by the autonomous motivation contractors experienced at work. The inverse relationship between push factors (e.g. inability to secure desired work role) and job satisfaction is not mediated by autonomous nor controlled motivation experienced at work. Contractors' perceived organizational support does not moderate the relationship between either push or pull factors and autonomous motivation. Post hoc analysis shows a moderating effect of perceived supervisor support on the nonlinear relationship between push factors and autonomous motivation.Practical implicationsRecruiting individuals drawn to the benefits of contract work may have important implications for worker motivation, job satisfaction and potentially beyond. Moreover, organizations may consider whether existing support resources and infrastructure are appropriate for contractors.Originality/valueDespite the abundance of evidence demonstrating the benefits of organizational and supervisor support among traditional employee populations, such support may be of limited value to those drawn to contract work.

MODERN LABOR LAW: A REVIEW OF CURRENT TRENDS IN EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND ORGANIZATIONAL DUTIES

This review delves into the dynamic landscape of contemporary labor laws governing the relationship between employers and employees, and encapsulates the evolving facets of labor rights and organizational responsibilities in the current milieu. The shifting paradigm of labor law reflects a growing emphasis on safeguarding employee rights. Recent trends indicate a heightened focus on inclusivity, non-discrimination, and diversity in the workplace. Legislative reforms and judicial interpretations have sought to fortify the rights of marginalized groups, encompassing gender, race, sexual orientation, and disability. Concurrently, the emergence of remote work and the gig economy has prompted reevaluations of traditional employment classifications, engendering debates on the extension of protections to freelancers and independent contractors. Moreover, organizational duties have undergone transformation, aligning with the evolving societal expectations. Compliance frameworks have adapted to address ethical considerations, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility, amplifying the obligations of employers beyond profit-centric objectives. This evolution extends to the duty of care owed to employees, encompassing mental health support, workplace safety, and accommodation for work-life balance. The review also analyzes the interplay between statutory regulations, judicial precedents, and societal shifts, charting their impact on the employer-employee relationship. It examines the complexities arising from the globalization of labor markets, addressing the challenges of harmonizing diverse legal frameworks and cross-border employment dynamics. It also scrutinizes the implications of technological advancements, such as AI-driven employment decisions, on labor rights. It probes the legal and ethical quandaries arising from the proliferation of surveillance technologies in the workplace, balancing the interests of productivity and privacy rights of employees. The insight presented in this review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted landscape of modern labor law, capturing its intricate tapestry of rights, obligations, and the evolving contours of the employer-employee nexus amidst contemporary socio-economic dynamics.
 Keywords: Labour Law, Employee Right, Compliance, Organizational Duties, Review.

Антимонопольные аспекты деятельности операторов цифровых платформ в гиг-экономике

The article analyses the current challenges for competition law due to the changing social relations in the context of the gig economy, the increasing impact of digital platforms on competition and the emergence of the phenomenon of platform work. The authors analyse the current approaches to anti-competitive practices by digital platforms as well as the provisions of the recently adopted Fifth Antitrust Package. The article points out that, despite the changes in the structure of employment and competition in digital markets, modern antitrust law still adheres to traditional approaches to assessing competition risks, based primarily on the impact of a monopolist’s behaviour on consumers and secondarily on its direct competitors. As a result, many unfair practices are in the blind spot of competition law, such as those related to platform work and the ability of a digital platform operator to control and coordinate the activities of a large number of formally independent sellers, contractors and performers.

The Effect Of Work Motivation And Transformative Leadership On Freelancer Innovative Behaviour In The Oil And Gas Mining Industry Mediated By Absorptive Capacity

Freelancers, defined as non-employees or independent contractors, provide company comprehensive by utilizing freelancers to be more flexible, agile, and innovative. Employee innovative behavior is an essential foundation in supporting the company’s success. In previous research, there has not been much discussion of the competitive advantage of a freelancer from the perspective of an individual freelancer. Innovation can arise from innovative work behavior using the absorptive capacity to att knowledge. This piece has an objective to design and analyze the impact of work motivation and transformative Leadership on freelancer employees innovative behavior in the oil and gas mining industry mediated by absorptive capacity.

The Independent Contractor Workforce: New Evidence on Its Size and Composition and Ways to Improve Its Measurement in Household Surveys

Good data on the size and composition of the independent contractor workforce are elusive. The authors carried out a series of focus groups to learn how independent contractors speak about their work. Based on those findings, they designed and fielded a telephone survey to elicit more accurate and complete information on independent contractors. Roughly 1 in 10 workers who initially reported working for an employer on one or more jobs (and thus were coded as employees) were independent contractors on at least one of those jobs. Incorporating these miscoded workers into estimates of main job work arrangements nearly doubles the share who are independent contractors to approximately 15% of all workers. Taking these workers into account substantively changes the demographic profile of the independent contractor workforce. Probing in household surveys to clarify a worker’s employment arrangement and identify all low-hours work is critical for accurately measuring independent contractor work.

Globalisation and current employment situation in South Africa: An exploratory enquiry

Globalisation is a broad concept that has continuously impacted various aspects of human endeavours. Globalisation has influenced the realignment of business strategies as well as impacted the availability of jobs in many countries. In modern organisations, managers must understand how current globalisation impacts employment situations. Since the dawn of contemporary globalisation in the early 1990s, several path breaking advances have emerged. These advances have also impacted the ways works are coordinated in the workplace. For instance, recently the use of independent contractors has increased as opposed to permanent appointed employees. As a matter of fact, globalisation has impacted employment situations in several ways. Hence, the current paper is an attempt to explore how globalisation has impacted employment situations in South Africa. The main finding of the paper revealed that there is a rising trend in job insecurity in most organisations owing to advanced sophisticated technologies and the utilisation of more atypical employment pattern in the form of casualisation.

Employees’ Perceptions of Workplace Safety Culture: A Case Study of a Polyester Company

Safety culture is a crucial component of ensuring workplace safety and preventing accidents. This study aimed to assess the safety leadership and safety culture of a polyester company in Thailand. Data gathering was conducted utilizing survey forms developed by the study team, including the 360-degree safety leadership survey and the 36-question safety culture survey. The sample group, comprising 1,286 individuals, consisted of management, employees, and independent contractors from a polyester company with four business units. Both the safety leadership and the safety culture perception surveys were provided with average values, thorough descriptions, graphical representations, and visuals. The study revealed that the perceptions of safety leadership and safety culture among the employees aligned with the standard level. However, certain issues, including off-the-job safety, communicating about safety, empowering other employees, setting safety standards and expectations, and promoting safety improvements and sharing, placed the organization’s safety culture at the foundational level, requiring management commitment and awareness development. For further actions, the company should emphasize the value of strategic workers' involvement in programs that empower employees, such as visible safety leadership for all management levels, notification and reporting programs, and safety sharing among business partners, to establish a world-class safety culture as the company's goal. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-01-017 Full Text: PDF

Statistical Analysis of Radioactivity: Lamprecht Uranium Mine in Texas.

The former Lamprecht uranium mine facility in Texas ceased operations well before the new millennium. However, decommissioning activities were never completed by the licensee. Consequently, a legal proceeding was authorized between state and licensee representatives. Meanwhile, state funds were used to hire an independent contractor to perform radiological surveys and assess the magnitude of residual radioactivity across the terrain at the site. The purpose of this study was to apply advanced spatial statistical methods to the survey data measured by contractors at the Lamprecht site to precisely predict remaining radioactive hotspot locations post soil remediation activities. To accomplish this, descriptive statistics such as Google maps and boxplots along with inferential spatial statistical techniques, e.g., kriging and semivariograms, were employed. R coding was also used throughout. Specifically, the descriptive statistical methods included geographical mapping of targeted areas at the site coupled with summary statistics. Inferentially, spatial analytical techniques were employed to pinpoint the locations of elevated radiation levels above regulatory limits. Our results suggest that fewer hotspots were identified after remediation activities were completed at the site. This study provides an additional analytical resource for the State of Texas regarding the release of this former in situ leach uranium mine site to landowners for unrestricted use.

Incentive-based coordination for scheduled delivery in prefab construction

An increasing number of projects are adopting prefabrication to economize on time, labor, and materials in fixed-position layout operations, such as construction, ship building, and aircraft manufacturing. In such contexts, independent contractor and fabricator make interdependent decisions, which calls for prudent supply chain management because performance relies on coordination between their decisions. Many studies have developed integrated systems and propose various algorithms for scheduling efficiency and reliability. Nevertheless, they pay scant attention to conflicting interests amongst independent partners, which may result in subpar performance not only for the supplier but for the contractor as well. Coordination of conflicting interests has been extensively studied in economics and supply chain management; yet, those studies focus on order-quantity decisions under demand uncertainty for profit maximization, while managers in fixed-position operations are more concerned about delivery decisions under scheduling uncertainty for cost minimization. We consider the case of construction and explore a contractual scheme that aligns the agents’ decisions for coordination in a construction supply chain. Specifically, we propose a supplier rebate for coordination: the supplier grants a rebate if the contractor accepts the shipment in accordance with the delivery schedule that the contractor initially chose. We show that the optimal rebate fully coordinates the supply chain to minimize the joint supply chain costs. Thus, both the contractor and supplier benefit from the coordination by negotiating a mutually acceptable way to allocate the savings in joint costs between them. We further show that the rebate motivates the contractor to enhance its work scheduling.

Mental Health Counseling From Conversational Content With Transformer-Based Machine Learning

Use of asynchronous text-based counseling is rapidly growing as an easy-to-access approach to behavioral health care. Similar to in-person treatment, it is challenging to reliably assess as measures of process and content do not scale. To use machine learning to evaluate clinical content and client-reported outcomes in a large sample of text-based counseling episodes of care. In this quality improvement study, participants received text-based counseling between 2014 and 2019; data analysis was conducted from September 22, 2022, to November 28, 2023. The deidentified content of messages was retained as a part of ongoing quality assurance. Treatment was asynchronous text-based counseling via an online and mobile therapy app (Talkspace). Therapists were licensed to provide mental health treatment and were either independent contractors or employees of the product company. Participants were self-referred via online sign-up and received services via their insurance or self-pay and were assigned a diagnosis from their health care professional. All clients received counseling services from a licensed mental health clinician. The primary outcomes were client engagement in counseling (number of weeks), treatment satisfaction, and changes in client symptoms, measured via the 8-item version of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). A previously trained, transformer-based, deep learning model automatically categorized messages into types of therapist interventions and summaries of clinical content. The total sample included 166 644 clients treated by 4973 therapists (20 600 274 messages). Participating clients were predominantly female (75.23%), aged 26 to 35 years (55.4%), single (37.88%), earned a bachelor's degree (59.13%), and were White (61.8%). There was substantial variability in intervention use and treatment content across therapists. A series of mixed-effects regressions indicated that collectively, interventions and clinical content were associated with key outcomes: engagement (multiple R = 0.43), satisfaction (multiple R = 0.46), and change in PHQ-8 score (multiple R = 0.13). This quality improvement study found associations between therapist interventions, clinical content, and client-reported outcomes. Consistent with traditional forms of counseling, higher amounts of supportive counseling were associated with improved outcomes. These findings suggest that machine learning-based evaluations of content may increase the scale and specificity of psychotherapy research.

Taking development for a ride: the World Bank’s research with ride-hailing companies

The World Bank’s International Finance Corporation has produced three research reports on gender equality and ride-hailing, in collaboration with ride-hailing companies. This article examines these reports in light of wider conversations about the growing corporate co-production of development knowledge. Focusing on research claims about the gender and development potential of ‘sharing economy’ firms like Uber, it argues that the shortage of women drivers has been successfully framed as a gender and development problem, rather than a labour supply problem to be resolved by ride-hailing companies themselves. Multi-stakeholder solutions are proposed, involving licensing actors, charities, government development agencies, banks, and insurance providers. Gender equality research contributes to a new development common sense involving expanding the numbers of indebted ‘independent contractors’ in the gig economy; reducing ‘regulatory burdens’ on platforms; and binding nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) ever tighter to corporate interests. This article shows the centrality of gender research to the Bank’s broader reorientation towards business-led development, and highlights some distinctive lessons of work on ride-hailing.

The gig economy, platform work, and social policy: food delivery workers’ occupational welfare dilemma in Hong Kong

Abstract Previous literature suggests that the gig economy and platform work pose challenges to social policy, including the welfare entitlement issues caused by workers’ ambiguous occupational status. Focusing on the government’s regulatory role, this study investigates platform workers’ occupational welfare (OW) by conducting in-depth interviews with forty-six food delivery workers in Hong Kong. The evidence reveals workers’ occupational risks resulting from platforms’ algorithmic devices and the misclassification of independent contractors. The denied access to private occupational pensions was considered acceptable by workers because of the perceived irrelevance of OW. While interviewees emphasised time-based flexibility as a key intangible benefit, the shifting business costs to self-employed workers was highlighted as a disadvantage. A policy dilemma appears between strengthening state regulation/protection and maintaining workers’ temporal autonomy. Arguably, the platformisation of work is translated into the gigification of OW, disentitling platform workers’ employer-provided welfare and labour protection. Platforms possess monopolising power over workers, the state displays weak regulatory power to monitor platforms, and workers’ occupational citizenship is undermined by the government’s minimal intervention. This study contributes to the literature by linking OW to platform work and revealing how the gig economy reshapes social policy, empirically offering a worker-centred analysis of OW in Hong Kong.

Notes: Revisiting Uber Drivers as Employees — Comparing South African and UK Law

The UK Supreme Court in the case Uber BV v Aslam [2021] UKSC 5 recently held that Uber drivers in London were workers for the purposes of inter alia minimum wage regulations. In South Africa, the Labour Court in Uber SA Technology Services (Pty) Ltd v National Union of Public Service & Allied Workers (2018) 39 ILJ 903 (LC) (Uber SA) held that the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) had erred in finding that South African Uber drivers were employees of Uber SA. This note compares the two cases, as well as considering the distinction between ‘employees’, ‘workers’ and ‘independent contractors’.

Labor Market Trends in the Gig Economy: Implications for Workers and Employers

Modern labour markets have been radically altered by the advent and meteoric rise of the gig economy, which has introduced new dynamics for employers and employees alike while reshaping the nature of traditional employment relationships. discussion of current and future developments in the gig economy with an emphasis on how these changes will affect workers' ability to make a living, their sense of job security, and their overall health and happiness. Technological developments, shifting consumer tastes, and economic upheavals have all contributed to the rise of the "gig economy," a model of short-term, frequently self-employed employment. A growing number of businesses and professions rely on gig workers, who are also known as freelancers, independent contractors, or platform workers.

An Analytical study on Navigating Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities in the era of AI and the Gig Economy

The gig economy, characterized by its flexible work arrangements and independent contractors, has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. However, it faces sustainability challenges related to worker welfare, income security, and job classification. This paper explores the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the gig economy and its potential impact on these sustainability concerns. Through an analytical lens, it examines the current applications of AI in the gig economy across various platforms and tasks, highlighting both efficiencies and potential biases.The anticipated effects of AI on gig workers including job displacement, skill requirements, and potential for wage changes.The implications of AI for the sustainability of the gig economy, analyzing how it might exacerbate existing challenges or pave the way for improvements in worker protections and platform governance.Potential policy considerations and recommendations to ensure a more sustainable and equitable gig economy in light of AI integration. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of AI's potential in the gig economy, advocating for proactive measures to address potential disruptions and harness its capabilities to create a more sustainable and rewarding future for the flexible workforce.