What is the employment potential of a lean platform? The case of Dutch self-employed service professionals
Purpose The purpose of this article is to study what platform-related user factors influence the employment potential of a lean platform for self-employed professionals. Design/methodology/approach The article employs the system data of a Dutch platform firm, which include consumers looking for painters ( N = 17,224) and self-employed painters ( N = 1,752) who pursue client acquisition by submitting proposals ( N = 101,974). This data is analysed using non-parametric tests. Findings Study of this platform shows that the platform functions as a channel of acquisition for self-employed professio... Mehr ...
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Dokumenttyp: | Artikel |
Erscheinungsdatum: | 2020 |
Reihe/Periodikum: | International Journal of Manpower ; volume 42, issue 2, page 305-321 ; ISSN 0143-7720 |
Verlag/Hrsg.: |
Emerald
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Sprache: | Englisch |
Permalink: | https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-27417025 |
Datenquelle: | BASE; Originalkatalog |
Powered By: | BASE |
Link(s) : | http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijm-01-2019-0037 |
Purpose The purpose of this article is to study what platform-related user factors influence the employment potential of a lean platform for self-employed professionals. Design/methodology/approach The article employs the system data of a Dutch platform firm, which include consumers looking for painters ( N = 17,224) and self-employed painters ( N = 1,752) who pursue client acquisition by submitting proposals ( N = 101,974). This data is analysed using non-parametric tests. Findings Study of this platform shows that the platform functions as a channel of acquisition for self-employed professionals. This lean platform enables matching of information of supply and demand, thereby facilitating processes of acquisition. The number of competitors, distance to a potential job and non-standard proposals are statistically significant factors that influence whether a consumer is interested in a proposal. Effect sizes are very small. Research limitations/implications This platform is a two-way market for information about service jobs, which excludes a price setting mechanism. The findings of this study cannot be generalized to other forms of platforms. Practical implications The market for service professionals is very local; therefore, the platform firm may alter the algorithm to accommodate this. Self-employed professionals should approach using the platform in the same way as normal forms of acquisition. Social implications This particular type of two-sided market is an extension of regular forms of acquisition by creating “weak ties” through the platform. Originality/value The article uses a unique data set to study the impact and limitations of digitalization of the (labour) market for service professionals.