Behavioral Profiles of Crowdsourced Delivery Workers: Comparative Analysis of Prospective and Experienced Workers

Crowdsourced deliveries have expanded globally, driven in part by an increase in online shopping demand. This study examines behavioral heterogeneity in crowdsourced delivery participation in South Korea using latent class analysis (LCA), with a particular focus on the differences between (a) individuals who are willing to participate but have no prior experience and (b) those who have actual experience working as crowdshippers. While prior studies have largely focused on stated willingness or intention to participate in crowdshipping, little is known about how these stated expectations differ from the actual participation patterns of experienced workers. The analysis identified three classes among prospective crowdshippers—Work–Life Balancers, Occasional Part-Timers, and Ambitious Crowdshippers—distinguished primarily by expected earnings and intended work intensity. Two classes emerged among experienced crowdshippers—Intermittent Gig Practitioners and Dedicated Crowdshippers—differentiated by realized earnings, delivery frequency, and vehicle utilization. The experienced sample was more male-dominated and younger, while the prospective sample was more gender-balanced and older. The findings offer practical implications for gig platforms and policymakers, including segment-specific scheduling, compensation design, and policy frameworks addressing worker safety and public-transport integration.