Platform economy: Impact on labor and employment

The paper examines the platform economy, its impact on labor and employment. The principal topics in the literature that cause scientific discussion are highlighted: what platforms are, regulation of platform employment, and issues related to the forms and levels of risk and benefits gained by independent contractors, platforms, employers. Platforms function as a new type of management (new economic architecture), a new form of labor organization, intermediary firms, and dispatchers. The new type of management also changes the nature of labor. Thus, typologies of platform workers are analyzed: by skill levels (professional knowledge, responsibility and authority) and type of products manufactured; by he nature of he work performed and territorial affiliation. Platform type of management, specifically the typology of employment and the management of task execution (algorithmically controlled work environment), distinguishes platform employment from traditional employment. Given the rise of platform employment and the unregulated relations between platforms and contractors (which are described as business-to-business), platforms are providing social support to contractors, including a guaranteed hourly wage, discounts on products, and tips.