Conceptualizing human resource management in the gig economy: Toward a platform ecosystem perspective

Purpose – Although it is transforming the meaning of employment for many people, little is known about the implications of the gig economy for human resource management (HRM) theory and practice. This paper conceptually explores the notion of HRM in the gig economy, where intermediary platform firms design and implement HRM activities while simultaneously trying to avoid the establishment of employment relationships with gig workers.
Design/methodology/approach – To conceptualize HRM in the gig economy, we offer a novel ecosystem perspective to develop propositions on the role and implementation of HRM activities in the gig economy.
Findings – We show that HRM activities in the gig economy are designed to govern platform ecosystems by aligning the multilateral exchanges of three key gig economy actors: gig workers, requesters, and intermediary platform firms, for ensuring value co-creation. We argue that the implementation of HRM activities in the gig economy is contingent on the involvement and
activities of these gig economy actors. This means that they are not mere recipients of HRM but also actively engaged in, and needed for, the execution of HRM activities.
Originality/value – Our study contributes to research by proposing a theoretical framework for studying the design of HRM activities, and their implementation, in the gig economy. From this framework, we derive directions for future research on HRM in the gig economy.