Paper short abstract:

With mixed methods combining quantitative and qualitative data, this article investigates the device assemblages and device aspirations of Indian platform workers. The findings unveil differences between genders and suggest the existence of a gendered investment gap in devices used in platform work.

Paper long abstract:

Online labour platforms (OLPs) have emerged as sites offering opportunities for people around the world to bid for jobs and tasks which can be completed from a distance. They have been surmised to enable a “flat” world whereby global matching of those selling and buying work would allow specialized human capital to migrate virtually. Despite its location on a proverbial cloud, such platform work relies on a working environment setup which necessitates the use of one or more digital devices. Little is known about the device setups of cloudworkers even though they function as a linchpin enabling cloudworkers to carry out projects and communicate with platform clients. Understanding inequalities in device accessibility and use is crucial, as traditionally, women tend to be on the wrong side of digital and investment divides, especially in lower- and middle-income countries. Based on a survey of 405 Indian platform workers registered on four leading OLPs, this article investigates their device assemblages and device aspirations and compares men and women as well as the platform subsamples to elucidate inequalities between the groups. The results indicate differences between genders and suggest the existence of a gendered investment gap for devices used for platform work.

Empirically, this study provides topical findings around relevant subgroups within a country that hosts significant numbers of platform workers; theoretically, it develops testable theory for a topic that remains understudied and undertheorized; and practically, it proposes a mixed-methods research approach that combines quantitative and qualitative viewpoints that allow addressing a complex topic.