Date of Award

Spring 5-2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Global Inclusion and Social Development

First Advisor

Meghan Elizabeth Kallman

Second Advisor

Rosalyn Negrón

Third Advisor

Michael Carr

Abstract

Digital gig platforms have transformed labor markets globally. This dissertation critically examines the intersections of platform design and worker experiences through four interrelated studies. The research identifies how differences between on-demand and cloud work platforms shape identity, trust, and autonomy.

Drawing on Cultural Domain Analysis, the first study proposes a practical classification system for digital gig platforms. Experts categorize platforms as on-demand or cloud work, avoiding theoretical subtypes like skill level. This framework supports targeted analyses of platform design and regulatory implications.

The second and third studies examine the paradoxes of worker identity in platform-mediated environments. A survey of 268 workers, supplemented by interviews, reveals divergent self-understandings. On-demand workers often identify as employees, dependent on platforms for task allocation and pricing. Cloud workers see themselves as freelancers, navigating global markets. These insights underscore the need for legal frameworks that reflect the realities of gig work.

The fourth study investigates trust as a critical element of worker-platform relationships. Lacking institutional protection, workers rely on psychological contracts and platform mechanisms to build trust. On-demand workers maintain trust through cognitive reframing, attributing failures to external factors. In contrast, cloud workers exhibit transactional trust, shaped by autonomy and pragmatic interactions. These findings reveal how trust dynamics vary by platform type, shaping resilience and engagement.

This research calls for worker-centered designs aligned with gig workers’ realities. By integrating legal, sociological, and technological perspectives, it supports policies that balance autonomy with protection and promote worker-centric design—reimagining digital labor as a path to innovation and inclusion.

Comments

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