The Impact of Digital Economy on Flexible Employment: The Mediating Role of Laborer Perceptions

Flexible employment has attracted widespread attention in the era of the digital economy. However, there is still a debate among recent studies on whether the advancement of digital economy promotes flexible employment as a preferable option. This paper utilizes data from the China Labor-Force Dynamics Survey (CLDS) and the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to examine the effects of the digital economy on flexible employment. The findings indicate that the development of the digital economy significantly enhances the willingness of workers to choose flexible employment. The underlying mechanisms differ among workers with varying motivations. Specifically, the growth of the digital economy enhances some workers’ perception of job autonomy, prompting them to actively choose flexible employment arrangements. Conversely, it may increase the likelihood of others passively choosing flexible employment due to an enhanced perception of fairness. The positive effects of the digital economy on flexible employment vary by gender, age, education level, and job type. This study also finds that the digital economy contributes to increased satisfaction with flexible employment arrangements. The conclusions of this study hold important theoretical and practical value for understanding the psychological perceptions of flexible employees in the new era and for grasping the new opportunities of flexible employment.