Gig work: A bibliometric systematic literature review and content analysis

Sihui Li, Lanxia Zhang, Shoufeng Hu, Fu Jia and Xiaolan Fu

Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 2025, vol. 200, issue C

Abstract: The internet has entered the 3.0 era, significantly boosting the development of the gig economy. Gig work, as a flexible form of employment, is increasingly recognized as a vital component of the modern economy. However, research on the gig economy remains in its early stages, highlighting the need for a comprehensive conceptual framework to define the boundaries of this field and to identify potential future research directions. This study utilizes a bibliometric systematic literature review (B-SLR) method to systematically examine 145 papers related to gig work, conducting a detailed content analysis of 88 selected studies out of the 145 papers. It outlines the current state and evolutionary trajectory of gig work research, identifying five key themes: what is gig work, the drivers and challenges of gig work, predominant research methods, the well-being of gig workers, and platform management and algorithms. Additionally, five future research directions are proposed. This study provides a clear roadmap for the advancement of the gig work field and serves as a valuable reference for scholars employing the B-SLR research method. Overall, our article offers a comprehensive overview of the development of the gig economy, synthesizing key themes from current research and proposing potential future directions based on rigorous scientific methods.

Keywords: Gig work; Bibliometric systematic literature review; Content analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2025.104216

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