Algorithm as Boss or Coworker? Randomized Field Experiment on Algorithmic Control and Collaboration in Gig Platform

Jason Chan; Nakyung Kyung; Sojung Yoon; Yeonseo Kim

Algorithm as Boss or Coworker? Randomized Field Experiment on Algorithmic Control and Collaboration in Gig Platform

Jason Chan, Nakyung Kyung, Sojung Yoon, Yeonseo Kim

Information and Decision Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Without a doubt, the heavy use of artificial intelligence (AI) will be involved in the future of work. Pertinent to the deployment of AI in organizations, algorithmic control is the managerial use of intelligent algorithms as a means to align individual worker behaviors with organizational objectives. While algorithmic control may facilitate efficient management of workers, it also leads to intrusive and unilateral exertion of controls over workers, also known as “algorithm as boss” phenomenon. In this study, we attempt to understand the outcomes and tradeoffs that different configurations between the AI and gig workers would produce, by conducting a randomized field experiment with one of the largest delivery rider labor unions in Asia. Overall, our study suggests that providing collaborative algorithmic control not only increases gig workers’ utility in terms of monetary rewards but also enhances their intrinsic rewards, which has the potential to benefit the gig platform as well.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023
Subtitle of host publication	"Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies"
Publisher	Association for Information Systems
ISBN (Electronic)	9781713893622
State	Published - 2023
Event	44th International Conference on Information Systems: Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies, ICIS 2023 - Hyderibad, India Duration: Dec 10 2023 → Dec 13 2023

Publication series

Name	International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies"

Conference

Conference	44th International Conference on Information Systems: Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies, ICIS 2023
Country/Territory	India
City	Hyderibad
Period	12/10/23 → 12/13/23

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Hu. All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

algorithmic control
autonomy paradox
future of work
gig economy

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Chan, J., Kyung, N., Yoon, S., & Kim, Y. (2023). Algorithm as Boss or Coworker? Randomized Field Experiment on Algorithmic Control and Collaboration in Gig Platform. In International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies" (International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies"). Association for Information Systems.

Algorithm as Boss or Coworker? Randomized Field Experiment on Algorithmic Control and Collaboration in Gig Platform. / Chan, Jason; Kyung, Nakyung; Yoon, Sojung et al.
International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies". Association for Information Systems, 2023. (International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies").

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Chan, J, Kyung, N, Yoon, S & Kim, Y 2023, Algorithm as Boss or Coworker? Randomized Field Experiment on Algorithmic Control and Collaboration in Gig Platform. in International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies". International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies", Association for Information Systems, 44th International Conference on Information Systems: Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies, ICIS 2023, Hyderibad, India, 12/10/23.

Chan J, Kyung N, Yoon S, Kim Y. Algorithm as Boss or Coworker? Randomized Field Experiment on Algorithmic Control and Collaboration in Gig Platform. In International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies". Association for Information Systems. 2023. (International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies").

Chan, Jason ; Kyung, Nakyung ; Yoon, Sojung et al. / Algorithm as Boss or Coworker? Randomized Field Experiment on Algorithmic Control and Collaboration in Gig Platform. International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies". Association for Information Systems, 2023. (International Conference on Information Systems, ICIS 2023: "Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies").

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AB - Without a doubt, the heavy use of artificial intelligence (AI) will be involved in the future of work. Pertinent to the deployment of AI in organizations, algorithmic control is the managerial use of intelligent algorithms as a means to align individual worker behaviors with organizational objectives. While algorithmic control may facilitate efficient management of workers, it also leads to intrusive and unilateral exertion of controls over workers, also known as “algorithm as boss” phenomenon. In this study, we attempt to understand the outcomes and tradeoffs that different configurations between the AI and gig workers would produce, by conducting a randomized field experiment with one of the largest delivery rider labor unions in Asia. Overall, our study suggests that providing collaborative algorithmic control not only increases gig workers’ utility in terms of monetary rewards but also enhances their intrinsic rewards, which has the potential to benefit the gig platform as well.

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Algorithm as Boss or Coworker? Randomized Field Experiment on Algorithmic Control and Collaboration in Gig Platform

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