Lived Experiences of Gig Workers and Side Hustlers in Platform-based Food Delivery Gig Work

Management scholars' understanding of motivation factors and job satisfaction is predominantly based on workers' experiences in standard employment relationships with organizations. In this paper, we draw from 35 interviews with, social media data and observations of, food delivery couriers in a British city to understand how the nature of their participation (full-time or side hustling) in, and the structural characteristics of, the gig economy impacts their attitudes, perceptions and behaviors. The data also draws on interviews with two food delivery company senior managers. We explore in-depth individuals’ lived experiences of work in platform-based food delivery gig work, factors influencing their decision to take up such gig work and aspects of job satisfaction. Our paper responds to the call for a deeper examination of these workers’ lived experiences, attitudes and job satisfaction and informs organizational behavior scholars and practitioners interested in examining and addressing the needs of similar groups of workers in similar occupational contexts.