The gig economy business model and platform work
The gig economy has increased in size and scope in recent years. In the UK it now involves one in ten workers, and a range business sectors including taxi services, deliveries, office work, design, software development, cleaning and household repairs. Six in ten gig economy workers are between 16 and 34.
Key to this model is that businesses advertise via on line platforms for workers, who are paid by task (gig) rather than role, and as independent contractors with short term arrangements common. Hence platform work. Businesses including Uber, Deliveroo, DPD and Argos have adopted this form of gig economy business model
Use the following ethical theories
i. Utilitarianism
ii. Kantian Ethics, to evaluate the ethics of the gig economy business model with a specific focus on platform work.
a. Outline platform work in the gig economy, and its stakeholders.
You will need to draw on evidence from good quality academic sources that discuss platform work specifically as well as specific gig economy companies.
b. Identify and discuss the ethical issues raised by platform work in the gig economy business model.
Again you will need to draw on evidence from good quality academic sources that discuss the platform work in the gig economy business model, as well as specific gig economy companies.
c. Introduce and explain the two ethical theories to be applied.
You will need to draw on discussions from good quality academic sources that consider the ethical theories in depth.
d. Use the ethical theories to analyse and respond to the ethical issues raised.
e. Based on your discussion conclude how far platform work in the gig economy model can be said to be ethical AND
f. Based on your discussion identify one key change that could be made to improve the ethics of platform work in the gig economy business model.
You should ensure that the proposed change is consistent with your ethical evaluation and is evidenced by reference to good quality academic sources.
In summary TASK A asks you to do the following:
a. Describe the business practice
b. Identify and discuss relevant ethical issues (2 issues)
c. Introduce [two] ethical theories( Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics) for each issue
d. Apply the [two] ethical theories to the practice.
e. Reach conclusions on whether the practice is ethical
f. Based on your discussion identify one key change that could be made to improve the ethics of the practice
