Exploring the Evolution of Human Resource Management in the Gig Economy: A Systematic Analysis

The rise of the gig economy has disrupted traditional employment paradigms, prompting a fundamental reevaluation of human resource management (HRM) practices. This systematic review examines how HRM is evolving to address the unique demands of a growing workforce composed of freelancers, independent contractors, and digital platform workers. Unlike conventional employment, gig work challenges established HRM functions such as recruitment, performance management, worker engagement, and organizational integration. The paper traces the historical evolution of HRM from its industrial roots to its transformation in the platform-mediated economy, where algorithms often replace HR departments in managing labor processes. Key tensions flexibility versus precarity, autonomy versus surveillance, innovation versus inequality is analyzed through empirical studies, policy reviews, and academic literature. The review highlights how digital platforms and algorithmic governance restructure work relationships, raising pressing concerns about labor rights, inclusion, and sustainability. Additionally, it explores how organizations and institutions are adapting HRM strategies to manage gig workers while striving for productivity, compliance, and fairness. As gig work expands beyond its initial sectors, understanding the implications for HRM becomes increasingly vital. This study contributes to ongoing debates about the future of work by presenting a holistic perspective on how HRM must adapt to remain effective in a decentralized, digital labor landscape. It advocates for new frameworks that balance organizational agility with worker protections, ensuring both resilience and equity in evolving employment systems.