Unequal gigs: developing a scale to measure socio-economic disparities among gig workers

S. Ramesh () and C. Shobha
Additional contact information
S. Ramesh: Tumkur University
C. Shobha: University College of Arts, Tumkur University

DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, 2025, vol. 52, issue 3, No 7, 355-368

Abstract: Abstract The study aims to develop and validate a scale to measure socio-economic disparities among gig workers, focusing on key dimensions such as income stability, job security and benefits, work flexibility, and career progression and skills development. A mixed-method approach was adopted, involving interviews with gig workers to identify socio-economic constructs and generate an initial item pool. The pilot study was conducted with 50 participants, followed by a larger survey of 400 gig workers. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to refine and validate the scale. The analysis identified a 30-item scale comprising four factors: income stability, job security and benefits, work flexibility, and career progression and skills development. The model exhibited a good fit, with significant relationships among the factors. The scale demonstrated strong reliability and validity. This scale can be used to assess the socio-economic challenges faced by gig workers, providing a tool for future research and policy-making aimed at addressing the disparities within the gig economy. It offers insights into income volatility, lack of benefits, and limited career advancement, especially among low-skilled workers. The study contributes to the growing literature on the gig economy by developing the first comprehensive tool to measure socio-economic inequalities specific to gig work, considering its unique structure and challenges.

Keywords: Gig economy; Socio-economic disparities; Income stability; Job security; Work flexibility; Career progression; Scale development; Confirmatory factor analysis; Exploratory factor analysis; Gig workers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s40622-025-00422-6 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:decisn:v:52:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s40622-025-00422-6

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/journal/40622

DOI: 10.1007/s40622-025-00422-6

Access Statistics for this article

DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta is currently edited by Rajesh Babu

More articles in DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta from Springer, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().