Hyperactive work? How platform work differs from other working arrangements in the quality of work

Purpose Technological breakthroughs have facilitated the emergence and proliferation of platform work. This working arrangement is defined by the use of digital labor platforms, which act as an intermediary between workers and requestors of labor. The authors argue that platform work has structural characteristics that make this working arrangement unique. They contextualize the platform literature using the job demands-resources theory to propose that platform work concerns hyperactive work, defined as the configuration of excessive job demands with high job resources. Existing research has predominantly examined platform work in isolation or focused on within-platform differences, leaving a critical gap in evidence of how platform work differs or resembles other working arrangements. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to conduct comparative analyses to clarify whether platform work constitutes a distinct job design configuration. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopted a between-working arrangement approach and collected data among two independent samples (Sample 1: N = 626, Sample 2: N = 358) to test this. Findings The authors predicted and found that platform work was characterized by high job demands and high levels of exhaustion (health-impairment process), as well as high job resources and high levels of work engagement (motivational process). The results support the conceptualization of platform work as hyperactive. In addition, technology-related job demands and resources are not only more prevalent but also relatively more important predictors of exhaustion and engagement for platform workers than for workers in other arrangements. Research limitations/implications The results support the conceptualization of platform work as hyperactive. Practical implications The findings have important implications for the literature and practice. Originality/value While research within working arrangements is prevalent, to date research that compares working arrangements is rare. This paper advances the understanding of how platform work is similar and different from other working arrangements.