Agency Behind the Vortex of Power: Unveiling the Endeavors of Digital Labors in Opposition to Digital Capitalists

Irsanti Widuri Asih ()
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Irsanti Widuri Asih: Universitas Terbuka

A chapter in Proceedings of the 5th Open Society Conference (OSC 2023), 2023, pp 178-189 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This paper delves into the manifestation of digital capitalism through the lens of Gojek, a prominent exponent of this paradigm. Gojek serves as a notable exemplar of digital capitalism, emblematic of the platform-based sharing economy model. Initially confined to ride-hailing services, Gojek evolution underscores the expansion of digital capitalism’s purview. Integral to its operations are partnerships with two-wheeled drivers, denoted as independent contractors, a characteristic that foregrounds the intricate interplay between capitalists and the proletariat. To comprehensively elucidate the agency exhibited by driver-partners operating within this digital capitalist framework, a qualitative approach is adopted. Methodological tools encompass in-depth interviews and non-participant observations, facilitating a nuanced exploration of the multifaceted dynamics at play. The interplay of diverse forces intricately shapes the realm in which driver-partners operate. Foremost among these forces is the platform itself, which assumes a role akin to a digital capitalist, exploiting labor for its profit-maximizing objectives. Additionally, a patron-client relationship materializes between the platform and the state, contributing to the perpetuation of exploitative dynamics. Moreover, the larger digital society of Indonesia as algorithmic subjects, further entrenching the overarching exploitation inherent in digital capitalism. Amidst this complex backdrop, driver-partners exhibit agency through a spectrum of resistance actions. Their agency is manifested through a fusion of conventional and digital resistance strategies, which together form a robust resistance repertoire against the exploitative forces at play. This nuanced agency underscores the multifaceted responses developed by driver-partners to navigate the intricate web of digital capitalism.

Keywords: agency; digital capitalism; digital labor; Gojek; vortex of power (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.2991/978-94-6463-290-3_16

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