Publikacja:

Meaningful app-work? Exploring meaningful work experiences of food delivery couriers in Poland

Data

2025
Artykuł
Przeszukaj czasopismo Uproszczony widok Pełne metadane Statystyki
 
cris.legacyid7560
cris.virtual.journalance#PLACEHOLDER_PARENT_METADATA_VALUE#
cris.virtualsource.journalancedc92c553-0411-4522-97d5-b7ef33169392
dc.abstract.plPurpose – The rise of app-based work in the gig economy, particularly within the food delivery sector, challenges traditional employment paradigms and raises questions about the potential for achieving meaningful work experiences. This study explores whether such work can be considered meaningful for food delivery couriers in Poland. Design/methodology/approach – This research adopts a qualitative, case-study approach, conducting 30 in-depth interviews with food delivery couriers in Poland. The study investigates how these workers perceive the meaningfulness of their work, focusing on the interplay between subjective and organisational aspects of their work. Findings – The findings reveal that despite the precarious nature of app-based work, couriers often find meaningful experiences through perceived autonomy, gamified control and the physical demands of their job. The study highlights the dual nature of app work, where the same elements that contribute to worker engagement and a sense of independence also perpetuate exploitation and job insecurity. Research limitations/implications – The study’s reliance on a convenience sample of 30 interviews conducted via social media may not represent the broader population of food delivery couriers. Future research should expand the sample size and include a more diverse range of participants to improve generalisability. Practical implications – The insights from this study can inform platform designers and policymakers to create more supportive environments for gig workers. Enhancing algorithmic transparency, providing better social protections and implementing fair gamification strategies can help mitigate the negative aspects of gig work and improve job satisfaction. Social implications – The study underscores the need for regulatory changes to ensure minimum guaranteed earnings and health and safety provisions for gig workers. By fostering a supportive and transparent work environment, the gig economy can better contribute to worker well-being and social equity. Originality/value – This research contributes to the limited body of literature on meaningful work within the gig economy, particularly focusing on food delivery couriers in Poland. It provides new insights into how workers create and perceive meaningful work in a highly digitised and algorithmically managed environment.
dc.contributor.affiliationKozminski University, Warsaw, Poland
dc.contributor.affiliationKozminski University, Warsaw, Poland
dc.contributor.authorAneta Pieczka
dc.contributor.authorMiłosz Miszczyński
dc.date.accessioned2025-07-25T16:05:02Z
dc.date.available2025-07-25T16:05:02Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.published5/2025
dc.description.issue2
dc.description.physical309-327
dc.description.volume33
dc.identifier.doi10.1108/CEMJ-02-2024-0057
dc.identifier.issn2658-0845
dc.identifier.urihttps://repozytorium.kozminski.edu.pl/handle/item/1802
dc.languageen
dc.relation.ispartofCentral European Management Journal
dc.relation.pages309-327
dc.rightsCC-BY-4.0
dc.subjectMeaningful work
dc.subjectgig economy
dc.subjectFood delivery
dc.subjectAlgorithmic control
dc.subjectApp-work
dc.subtypeOriginal
dc.title

Meaningful app-work? Exploring meaningful work experiences of food delivery couriers in Poland

dc.typeArticle
dspace.entity.typePublication