Researching the Gig Economy: Redefining Employment and Employees

This research report delves into the gig economy, examining its definition, challenges, and opportunities, particularly within the Information Technology sector. It includes a literature review highlighting the flexible nature of gig work and its impact on employment, as well as a research proposal outlining the aim, objectives, and research questions for further investigation. The study employs a qualitative research method, utilizing an inductive approach and interpretivism research philosophy, with data collected from secondary sources and analyzed thematically. The report also addresses potential ethical issues and strategies to overcome them, such as informed consent and data protection, to ensure the integrity of the research process.

Unit 11 Research Project
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Contents
TASK 1- Literature Review.......................................................................................................3
The Gig Economy: It’s real and redefining the nature of employment and employees........3
TASK 2- Research Proposal......................................................................................................4
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................8
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TASK 1- Literature Review
The Gig Economy: It’s real and redefining the nature of employment and employees
According to Tan and et.al. (2021) the gig economy refers to the concept of flexible
jobs which are representing the common place & enterprises tend to find the independent
contractor instead of full time staff members. The concept of gig economy can be defined the
nature of staff members and level of employment. Typically, it focuses on the large number
of people who are working in part time and maintain a strong position. Generally, it has been
examined the results through gig economy as cheaper, efficiently handle more services in
proper manner. For example- Airbnb is the fastest growing enterprise and willing to choose
as best thing in the context of working areas.
In some cases, many people are not focused on the use modern technological
approach or service such as internet based. The purpose of gig economy means to find the
better advantages of benefits. Different companies are highly motivated towards advance
services and enriched the areas in terms of gig economy. Without any doubt, a large variety
of certain positions can be represented under the specific category. A specific work can be
performed within time intervals, its depend on the working style of enterprise across global
world.
Yeganeh (2021) said that as part of gig economy, it focused on the digital concept
which plays an important role in the digital economy and ongoing process to impact the
revolution in working style. It can be examined that how people work and live their life. The
most important aspect to agree on the concept of gig economy and remain constantly handle
the situation of jobs. Because of poor policy-makers, it would be increased a lot of pressure
on the workers. For example- Airbnb has followed the regular policies in bank transactions
but it is very difficult to estimate or calculate the gig workforce size.
Mahato, Kumar and Jena (2021) said that gig work is always helping people or
employees who lost their jobs in the crisis and who are struggled to find new one. This kind
of situation is becoming worst for everyone. So, it would be required to focus on the gig
economy which can be improved through digital technologies. But in some cases, gig work is
not only same as share the information of jobs. It is basically adapting a positive side of gig.
The majority of workers to get jobs and increase the level of income. On the other hand, it is
focused on the division related gig jobs and then categorised into different ways. For
example- different platform enterprises are focused on the use of capital and allows for
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people to give employment option through online mode. It helps for workers who are
passionate about working. As suggested that different ways to provide the virtual offers to the
people in different sectors. In this way, employees are going to find the right goods &
services through branded tool or platform. It was becoming great approach to offer as pre-
approved set of feature, characteristics.
As per Pouri and Hilty (2021) Due to the gig economy, it has been rapidly changing
the nature of employment. But it may arise key issue in the gig work which can be developed
conflicts between employee and employers. The gig work can be categorised into different
edges and provide benefits for workers and economic condition. That’s why, it is important
aspect to create or develop flexibility in work arrangement and maintain level of training
prices or costs. If in case, it would be developing barriers to the entry, generate a procedure of
new income, supplement at difficult times. In different enterprises, the professional experts
are identified the demand of gig work for both employers and employees. It can be said as
natural reforming process in order to increase the level of jobs, part of erosion. Many workers
are trying to enjoy their advantage or benefits in the good times if in case it slow down the
business process. Gig workers do not get advantage easily due to lack of unemployment, poor
management. This type of thing will be increased the level of conflicts and it is not lawful for
everyone.
The flexibility for consumers and employees are becoming unpredictable because it is
directly related to the success of retailers, service providers. However, gig economy has been
shifted by people who are not participating in different working condition. Nowadays, work
on demand concept is applicable for people where they can select traditional or modern
working style. But the perception of workers are changed through use of modern technology.
It is always supporting to improve the performance of employees and employers.
TASK 2- Research Proposal
Aim
 The Gig Economy: It’s real and redefining the nature of employment and employees
Objective
 To understand the concept of Gig economy.
 To determine the challenges of gig work and impacts on the employment, employees.
 To analyse the opportunities for Information technology work through gig economy.
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Research question
 What is the concept of Gig economy?
 What are the challenges of gig work and impacts on the employment, employees?
 How can be analysed the opportunities for Information technology work through gig
economy?
Research method and justification-
Research methodology is based on the framework within study which has created a
foundation in order to identify relevant data or information.
Research method- it is based on the process in which gathering or collecting relevant
information about the gig economy and identify their specific use in employees or employers
level. Typically, research method can be categorised into different types- qualitative method
and quantitative.
In this research study, the scholar will choose qualitative method to identify correct
information through previous studies (Pandey and Pandey, 2021). So, it will be conducting
research analysis by using qualitative approach and focused only descriptive information,
pre-existing theories. This kind of thing will always support for researcher to generate
accurate result or outcome.
Research approach- In this study, researcher will select the inductive approach
because of considering the observation, assumptions.
Researcher philosophy- the scholar will choose Intepretivism research approach and
setup research questions to identify the impact of gig work on employment.
Researcher design- in this project, it will choose descriptive research design and allow
the scholar to analyse the facts related to the impact of gig economy.
Data collection- the researcher will choose secondary data collection technique to
gather information from authenticate sources such as newspaper, article, journals and so on.
Data analysis- Thematic data analysis concept will be selected by researcher to
develop different themes based on research topic.
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Justification
Qualitative method can be derived from multiple traditions and disciplines. The
reason for selecting approach is to establish a direct learning connection from people and
others. It provides the better way to understand the perception of qualitative method and its
finding. On the other hand, it also justified that qualitative method is helping the researcher to
understand depth analysis of research topic. This was a great opportunity for researcher to
reach the final conclusion. By using qualitative research, it is helping to find the attitude of
research participants and also save time or money.
Limitation of research methodologies with justification-
In order to conduct the research analysis, it will focus on the limitations which has
become consider as normal thing. It is very important to identify the limitation of research
method like qualitative. In future, it helps to handle complexity and discussion on the
research process. On the basis of justification, it has been identified the following research
limitations:-
 A lack of data collection- it is the most common issue identified in the research study.
This is because of when experience in secondary data collection. It would be
increased the critical possibilities of flaws. It can be developed the situation of poor
data management. Therefore, it is important to focus on the multiple sources and then
finalised the research methodology.
 A poor scope in research discussion- this kind of challenge is increased the limitation
in the research study. When researcher have a lack of experience of academic paper, it
will be developing a major issue. Therefore, researcher never comprised with level of
comparison in research studies otherwise it arise multiple flaws.
Ethical issues-
In the research project, it can be developed many kind of flaws, which is directly
affecting the research participants those are finding the results or outcomes (Nayak and
Singh, 2021). It is important to identify the ethical issues which arise in the research study.
 At the time of research analysis, it will be developing a harmful situation for research
participants regarding subject matter’s.
 A lack of confidentiality can be developed the conflicts between participants.
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 It will be increased the situation of data mis-leading due to the poor data management
approach.
 in the study, it can be increased the condition of poor privacy or protection.
Overcome ethical issues by using strategies-
In above session, it can be monitored the situation of ethical issues in the research
study. So, it would require to select or choose right strategies to overcome uncertain ethical
challenges in the research project.
 Research participants should be required to the use concept of informed consent. It is
one of the best strategy in order to provide sufficient information or data, assurance to
the researcher. In this way, it can easily manage and control the level of ethical
problem.
 Researcher will choose data protection act 1998, it helps to keep protect or secure
sensitive information about research topic.
 Encouraging the research participants to avoid unacceptable thing, discriminatory
situation at the time of analysis.
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REFERENCES
Book and Journals
Mahato, M., Kumar, N. and Jena, L.K., 2021. Re-thinking gig economy in conventional
workforce post-COVID-19: a blended approach for upholding fair balance. Journal of
Work-Applied Management.
Nayak, J.K. and Singh, P., 2021. Fundamentals of research methodology problems and
prospects. SSDN Publishers & Distributors.
Pandey, P. and Pandey, M.M., 2021. Research methodology tools and techniques. Bridge
Center.
Pouri, M.J. and Hilty, L.M., 2021. The digital sharing economy: A confluence of technical
and social sharing. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. 38. pp.127-
139.
Tan, Z.M. and et. al., 2021. The ethical debate about the gig economy: A review and critical
analysis. Technology in Society. 65. p.101594.
Yeganeh, H., 2021. An analysis of factors and conditions pertaining to the rise of the sharing
economy. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable
Development.
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