BEYOND4.0 Policy brief #3 - PLATFORM WORK
Abstract
Funded by the Horizon 2020 programme, BEYOND4.0 examines the impact of new digital technologies on the future of jobs, business models and welfare in the European Union (EU). Its aim is to support the delivery of an inclusive European future that provides decent work and decent lives for EU citizens. Two particular digital disruptions are salient to policymakers. The first is the digitalisation of production, epitomised by Industrie 4.0. The second involves the digitalisation of work mediated by platforms. This Policy Brief focuses on this second form of digital disruption and the rise and expansion of work mediated by digitalised platforms. Although there are nuanced differences, this development has many names. The term used here is 'platform work' organised through a business model sometimes referred to as 'Uberisation' because of the high profile of its eponymous company – Uber. The Brief outlines what platform work entails. Drawing on current research, it then highlights some of the opportunities and challenges. It also outlines current policy thinking about this form of work before making recommendations for further evidence-based policy development.
Problem melden