Spillover effects of algorithmic management on gig worker family life: the moderating roles of algorithmic transparency and work–family segmentation preference

Purpose Grounded in conservation of resources theory, this study examines the spillover effects of algorithmic management on family undermining and family satisfaction among gig workers through a moderated mediation model, aiming to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions of this cross-domain influence. Design/methodology/approach Two complementary studies were conducted to test the proposed model. Study 1 employed an online scenario-based experiment, and Study 2 utilized a three-wave survey design. Findings The results revealed that algorithmic management increases family undermining and decreases family satisfaction through work stress. Algorithmic transparency moderates the indirect effects of algorithmic management on work stress and family outcomes; work–family segmentation preference moderates the relationship between work stress and family outcomes as well as the mediated pathways. Originality/value This study uniquely contributes to the literature by extending the consequences of algorithmic management beyond the workplace into the family domain. It identifies work stress as a key mechanism and reveals how algorithmic transparency and work–family segmentation preference serve as important boundary conditions.