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Cited by 109Digital Economy and Work TransformationLegal and Labor StudiesLabor Movements and Unions

Resisting algorithmic control: Understanding the rise and variety of platform worker mobilisations

Open access
Cini, Lorenzo·2023·New Technology, Work and Employment
DOI 10.1111/ntwe.12257
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Abstract

Algorithms are seen as effective for managing workers. Literature focuses mainly on the functioning and impact of algorithmic control on workers' experiences and conditions. The ways in which platform workers have organised collectively to regain control have received far less scholarly attention. This paper addresses this gap by making sense of the mobilisation dynamics of two platform‐work categories: crowdwork ( Amazon Mechanical Turk ) and work on‐demand (food‐delivery couriers). These are salient mobilisation cases, as these workers have resisted algorithmic control by adopting specific organising modes, action repertoires and collective solidarities. By analysing a combination of extant literature and policy reports concerning each category of mobilisation forms at a global level over 5 years, the study elucidates why and how these workers were able to act without the involvement of traditional trade unions by showing that specific supportive communities and political activism traditions were crucial in the rise and variety of mobilisation.

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Authors
Cini, L.
Affiliations
University College Dublin (IE)
Corresponding author
Cini, Lorenzo
ORCID
Cini, Lorenzo
Venue
New Technology, Work and Employment
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2022-09-29
Volume
38
Issue
1
Pages
125-144
ISSN
  • 0268-1072 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-005X
DOI
10.1111/ntwe.12257
OpenAlex
W4298145121
Cited by
109
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 36 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 16
FWCI
26.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • New Technology Work and Employment (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Research Repository UCD (University College Dublin) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Irish Research eLibrary
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Digital Economy and Work Transformation
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Industrial relations › Legal and Labor Studies
  • Social Sciences › Public Administration › Labor Movements and Unions
Keywords
platform workers, algorithmic control, workers' mobilization, crowdwork, Amazon Mechanical Turk, food delivery workers, on-demand work, repertoires of action, group solidarity, trade unions, political activism, gig economy

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