More than Money : Redefining Success in the Gig Economy
- Workers involved in the gig economy are increasingly embracing a diverse range of interpretations when it comes to achieving success in their endeavors.
- The concept of success in the economic context is being broadened by workers’ values, extending beyond mere financial gains.
- Key components of success in the gig economy include five factors: (1) the ability to be flexible with time and space, (2) stability concerning finances, work, and employment, (3) chances for professional growth, (4) personal and professional fulfillment, and (5) independence.
- Acknowledging this variety ought to steer the future development of a thriving work environment within the gig economy.
Workers involved in the gig economy are increasingly embracing a diverse range of interpretations of work success. In this article, we amplify worker’s voices as they discuss what it means to be successful in the gig economy, particularly in the context of online freelancing platforms. The insights presented here are derived from interviews with over 100 US-based freelancers on Upwork.
Workers: Online Freelancers Online freelancers are notable as they embody the changing landscape of work and career trajectories today. They have moved beyond the constraints of traditional office settings. Their professional paths are now complex interplays of personal values, aspirations, and digital connectedness. This shift has directed our attention towards various interpretations of success in the emerging form of workplace.
Platforms: Digital Labor Platform At the core of this evolving paradigm lies the emergence of digital labor platforms as hubs for redefining the concept of success in work. These platforms provide fertile terrain where individuals can sculpt their own distinctive interpretations of success. By establishing an environment in which diverse values can coexist, digital labor platforms enable a multitude of success definitions to flourish.
The Elements of Successful Work We asked freelancers about their personal definitions of career success in the realm of online freelancing platforms. After interviewing Upwork freelancers, we found that the concept of success in a work context is being broadened by workers’ values, and is extending beyond mere financial gains. So, what exactly does success entail within the realm of digital labor platforms?
Our findings show that success on these platforms goes beyond mere financial gains. It involves the five elements: (1) temporal and spatial flexibility, (2) financial, work and employment stability, (3) professional development opportunity, (4) personal and professional meaning, and (5) autonomy. These findings emphasize the differential values that workers bring to digital labor platforms to carve out their own concept of success, extending beyond monetary factors.The figure below showcases examples of these measures of success from our interview data and the word cloud above also highlights the variation of opinion about what it means to have work success.
Future of Successful Work: Valuing Diversity Recognizing the ever-evolving nature of success in the gig work has significant implications for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. Primarily, it underscores the importance of valuing diversity — not just in terms of skills and expertise, but also encompassing values and aspirations. Acknowledging that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success, and that different individuals thrive on different standards, nurtures inclusivity and creates a supportive environment that respects each person’s unique career journey.
As we look ahead, the role of platform-mediated work is set to become even more influential in shaping our professional landscape. By embracing technology as a facilitator rather than an end goal, new opportunities can be revealed while ensuring that success remains a deeply personal and meaningful pursuit. Envision a digital labor platform that not only connects individuals with projects aligned to their values but also nurtures an environment where these values are honored and seamlessly integrated into the work fabric.
In conclusion, the shifting nature of work and career paths, coupled with the prominence of digital labor platforms, invites us to reconsider and redefine the essence of work success. Success is no longer confined to rigid frameworks; it embodies a dynamic and deeply personal notion that embraces diversity, amplifies diverse voices of workers, and leverages technology to amplify both individual and collective potential.
Written by Pyeonghwa Kim
Special thanks to Dr. Isabel Munoz for her review and feedback
