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Cited by 87Digital Economy and Work TransformationDigital Platforms and EconomicsSharing Economy and Platforms

The Gig Economy: Current Issues, the Debate, and the New Avenues of Research

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Malik, Radosław, Visvizi, Anna, Skrzek-Lubasińska, Małgorzata·2021·Sustainability
DOI 10.3390/su13095023
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Abstract

In the context of the debate on platform economy, on the one hand, and the gig economy, on the other, this paper delineates the conceptual boundaries of both concepts to query the gig economy research included in the Web of Science database. The initial search, cutoff date February 2020, targeting “gig economy” returned a sample of 378 papers dealing with the topic. The subsequent analysis, employing the science mapping method and relating software (SciMAT), allowed to query the body of research dealing with gig economy in detail. The value added by this paper is fourfold. First, the broad literature on gig economy is mapped and the nascent synergies relating both to research opportunities and economic implications are identified and highlighted. Second, the findings reveal that while research on gig economy proliferates, the distinction between “platform” and “gig” economy frequently remains blurred in the analysis. This paper elaborates on this issue. Third, it is highlighted that the discussion on gig economy is largely dispersed and a clearer research agenda is needed to streamline the discussion to improve its exploratory and explanatory potential. This paper suggests ways of navigating this issue. Fourth, by mapping the existing research on gig economy and highlighting its caveats, the way toward a comprehensive research agenda in the field is highlighted.

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Authors
Malik, R., Visvizi, A., & Skrzek-Lubasińska, M.
Affiliations
  • SGH Warsaw School of Economics (PL)
  • Effat University (SA)
Corresponding author
Malik, Radosław
ORCID
Venue
Sustainability
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-04-29
Volume
13
Issue
9
Pages
5023
ISSN
2071-1050 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/su13095023
OpenAlex
W3157763293
Cited by
87
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8
FWCI
19.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Sustainability (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Warsaw School of Economics (2021)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Digital Economy and Work Transformation
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Digital Platforms and Economics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Sharing Economy and Platforms
Keywords
gig economy, platform economy, conceptual boundaries, research agenda, science mapping, Web of Science, research trends

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