Spatial differentiation in the gig economy: Factors determining local articulations of a global phenomenon

Digital platforms are recognised to have impacted the global labour market profoundly, yet gig economy studies often focus on localised contexts. This paper uses these existing studies to provide a mid-level review of the variations in workers’ experiences and responses in terms of location-based work, heavily influenced by local regulations and social-cultural norms. We use a review of the literature to conceptualise and interrogate the apparent deterritorialisation and spatial differentiation of the gig economy and to demonstrate how local contexts shape workers’ experiences. Key variations arise from the formality of labour markets, legal status and protection of workers, management practices, gender dynamics, access to infrastructure and digital skills, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst apparent platform uniformity, the paper categorises the diverse strategies through which workers navigate and resist the influence of algorithmic control.