A Critical Evaluation of the Indian Ride-Hailing Ecosystem and its Impact on Decent Work Standards

Devasmita Jha (), Shishir Kumar Jha () and Anupam Guha ()
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Devasmita Jha: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Shishir Kumar Jha: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Anupam Guha: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, 2025, vol. 68, issue 1, No 13, 263-285

Abstract: Abstract This study delves into “algorithmic management” employed by ride-hailing services such as Uber and OLA to demonstrate its impact on the drivers’ working conditions. It offers insight into how algorithmic management intersects with political and social structures, suppressing individual autonomy and declining the rights and liberties of the workers, demonstrating the undemocratic fabric of contemporary capitalist societies. The study is divided into three sections: introduction, which includes background, literature review of algorithmic management, objective and key findings; the methodology used for the current study; and findings from a qualitative study of 60 drivers in India, which examines a drivers’ perspectives on algorithmic management. The study concludes with potential policy recommendations to ensure protection of labour rights.

Keywords: Algorithmic management; Ride-hailing; Decent work; Fair work (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J81 J88 L86 O33 P16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s41027-025-00557-1

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