Exploring Humanization in the GIG Economy: A Systematic Review of Gojek and Organizational Theories
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59890/ijefbs.v3i6.241Keywords:
GIG Economy, Humanization, Gojek, Worker Well-Being, Organizational TheoryAbstract
The rapid growth of the gig economy in Indonesia, especially through platforms such as Gojek, has reshaped work relations while leaving many workers exposed to income instability, weak social protection, and psychological strain. This article conducts a systematic literature review to examine how the humanization of work is articulated in studies on Gojek and how these studies engage with organizational management theories. Using PRISMA principles, the review identifies and synthesizes ten empirical and conceptual studies published between 2010 and 2023 that focus on Gojek or gig work in Indonesia. The findings reveal persistent tensions between algorithmic control and workers’ expectations for fair treatment, recognition, and voice, as well as a fragmented use of theories such as organizational justice, psychological contracts, and organizational control. The review proposes a Three-Dimensional Humanization Conceptual Model that integrates these perspectives and highlights implications for platform governance, public policy, and future research on gig work in Indonesia.
References
Akbas, F., Markov, S., Subasi, M., & Weisbrod, E. (2018). Determinants and consequences of information processing delay: Evidence from the Thomson Reuters Institutional Brokers' Estimate System. Journal of Financial Economics, 127 (2), 366–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2017.11.005
Alturkey, Y. A. (2024). The gig economy: Insights into worker experiences in the UK and Saudi Arabia. Open Journal of Business and Management, 12(3), 123094. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojbm.2024.123094
AU - Rachmawati, Riani, 2020, Understanding the Working Conditions of Gig Workers and Decent Work: Evidence from Indonesia’s online Ojek Riders
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
Barney, J. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
Brealey, R. A., Myers, S. C., & Allen, F. (2017). Principles of corporate finance (12th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education. Chen, X., & He, Y. (2020). Algorithmic management and worker experiences in the gig economy. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 41(3), 345-362.
Brealey, R. A., Myers, S. C., & Allen, F. 2017. Principles of Corporate Finance (12th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Chen, X., & He, Y. (2020). Algorithmic management and worker experiences in the gig economy. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 41(3), 345-362.
Choi, A. S., Lee, C. K., Tanaka, K., & Xu, H. (2018). Value spillovers from the Korean DMZ areas and social desirability. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 75, 95–104.
Choi, A.S., Lee, C.K., Tanaka, K., & Xu, H. (2018). Value spillovers from the Korean DMZ areas and social desirability. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 75 (April), 95–104.
Choudhry, M. (2018). An introduction to banking: Principles, strategy, and risk management (2nd ed.). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Choudhry, M. 2018. An Introduction to Banking: Principles, Strategy, and Risk Management (2nd ed.). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-1-119-11590-8
Gandini, A. (2018). Labor process theory and the gig economy. Human Relations, 72(6), 1039-1056. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726718790002. Gong, T. (2025). Algorithmic management and gig workers: Engagement, exhaustion, and citizenship behavior. Management Decision, ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-01-2025-0111.
Gandini, A. (2018). Labor process theory and the gig economy. Human Relations, 72(6), 1039-1056. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726718790002.
Gong T (2025), "Algorithmic management and gig workers: engagement, exhaustion, and citizenship behavior.” Management Decision, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-01-2025-0111
Harlow: Wiley. Hull, J. C. (2018b). Risk management and financial institutions (5th ed.). Hoboken: Wiley. Izza, S. R. et al. (2024). Analisis karakteristik pekerja ekonomi gig di Indonesia. Journal Riset Ekonomi.
Hsiao, Y. J., & Tsai, W. C. (2018). Financial literacy and participation in the derivatives markets. Journal of Banking and Finance, 88, 15–29.
Hsiao, Y. J., & Tsai, W. C. (2018). Financial literacy and participation in the derivatives markets. Journal of Banking and Finance, 88, 15–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2017.11.006 Hull, J. C. (2018a). Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives (9th ed.). Harlow: Wiley.
https://doi.org/10.3233/HSM-240049 (Original work published 2025)
Hull, J. C. (2018a). Options, futures, and other derivatives (9th ed.).
Hull, J. C. (2018b). Risk Management and Financial Institutions (5th ed.). Hoboken: Wiley. Jones, C. P., & Jensen, G. (2016). Investment: Analysis and Management (13th ed.). Hoboken: Wiley.
Izza, S. R. et al. (2024). Analisis Karakteristik Pekerja Ekonomi Gig di Indonesia. Journal Riset Ekonomi.
Jones, C. P., & Jensen, G. (2016). Investment: Analysis and management (13th ed.). Hoboken: Wiley. Kenton, W. (2018). Financial literacy. Retrieved January 15, 2019, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-literacy.asp
Kenton, W. (2018). Financial Literacy. Retrieved January 15, 2019, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-literacy.asp
Latri, A. (2024). Kerentanan Pekerja Gig di Era Digital. Jurnal Manajemen dan Kebijakan Publik.
Lee, S., & Hu, J. (2024). Human-centered design in platform work: Enhancing gig worker well-being. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 35(1), 75-98.
Lee, S., & Hu, J. (2024). Human-centered design in platform work: Enhancing gig worker well-being. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 35(1), 75-98.
Liu, W., He, C., Jiang, Y., Ji, R., & Zhai, X. (2020). Effect of Gig Workers’ Psychological Contract Fulfillment on Their Task Performance in a Sharing Economy—A Perspective from the Mediation of Organizational Identification and the Moderation of Length of Service. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7), 2208.
Liu, W., He, C., Jiang, Y., Ji, R., & Zhai, X. (2020). Effect of Gig Workers’ Psychological Contract Fulfillment on Their Task Performance in a Sharing Economy—A Perspective from the Mediation of Organizational Identification and the Moderation of Length of Service. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17.
Malik, R., Visvizi, A., & Skrzek-Lubasińska, M. (2021). The gig economy: Current issues, the debate, and the new avenues of research. Sustainability, 13(9), 5023. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095023.
Malik, R., Visvizi, A., & Skrzek-Lubasińska, M. (2021). The Gig Economy: Current Issues, the Debate, and the New Avenues of Research. Sustainability, 13(9), 5023. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095023.
Martin Wiener, W. Alec Cram & Alexander Benlian (2023) Algorithmic control and gig workers: a legitimacy perspective of Uber drivers, European Journal of Information Systems, 32:3, 485-507,
Martin Wiener, W. Alec Cram, & Alexander Benlian (2023). Algorithmic control and gig workers: a legitimacy perspective of Uber drivers, European Journal of Information Systems, 32:3, 485-507,
Martínez-García, E., & Fernández-Izquierdo, M. (2024). Humanization beyond CSR: A critical analysis. Journal of Business Ethics, 165(2), 215-230.
Martínez-García, E., & Fernández-Izquierdo, M. (2024). Humanization beyond CSR: A critical analysis. Journal of Business Ethics, 165(2), 215-230.
Nawaz, Z., Talib, M. N. A., & Abbas, A. (2025). Gig workers as a sustainable human resource: A study of the freelancer value proposition and its impact on platform usage intentions. Human Systems Management, 44(2), 302-318. https://doi.org/10.3233/HSM-240049 (Original work published 2025)
Nawaz, Z., Talib, M. N. A., & Abbas, A. (2025). Gig workers as a sustainable human resource: A study of the freelancer value proposition and its impact on platform usage intentions. Human Systems Management, 44(2), 302-318.
Omidi et al. (2023). Adaptive Management Strategies for Gig Workers. International Journal of Human Resource Management.
Omidi, A., et al. (2023). Adaptive management strategies for gig workers. International Journal of Human Resource Management. Parise, G. (2018). Threat of entry and debt maturity: Evidence from airlines. Journal of Financial Economics, 127(2), 226–247.
Parise, G. (2018). Threat of entry and debt maturity: Evidence from airlines. Journal of Financial Economics, 127 (2), 226–247.
Setyawan, A., et al. (2021). Procedural justice and gig worker dissatisfaction: Evidence from Indonesia. Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 10(1), 45-60.
Setyawan, A., et al. (2021). Procedural justice and gig worker dissatisfaction: Evidence from Indonesia. Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 10(1), 45-60.
Sianipar et al. (2024). Integrasi Humanisasi dalam Manajemen Organisasi Ekonomi Gig. Jurnal Manajemen Indonesia.
Sianipar, A. (2024). Integrasi humanisasi dalam manajemen organisasi ekonomi gig. Jurnal Manajemen Indonesia. Sun, X., & Zhang, Y. (2023). Organizational justice and algorithmic control in the gig economy. Management Decision, 61(5), 1200-1213.
Sianipar, H., Ali, M. A., Nugroho, N. A., & Maulana, S. H. (2024). Study of improving the sports achievements of students in Surakarta City. Sriwijaya Journal of Sport, 3(2), 61-80. https://doi.org/10.55379/sjs.v3i2.960
Sianipar, H., Ali, M. A., Nugroho, N. A., & Maulana, S. H. (2024). Study of improving the sports achievements of students in Surakarta City. Sriwijaya Journal of Sport, 3(2), 61-80. https://doi.org/10.55379/sjs.v3i2.960
Sun, X., & Zhang, Y. (2023). Organizational justice and algorithmic control in the gig economy. Management Decision, 61(5), 1200-1213.
Tuzovic, S., & Kjellberg, H. (2022). Relational psychological contract breaches and burnout in gig workers. Journal of Service Theory and Practice, 32(4), 567-586.
Vallas, S., & Schor, J. B. (2020). What do platforms do? Understanding the gig economy. Annual Review of Sociology, 46, 273-294.
Vallas, S., & Schor, J. B. (2020). What Do Platforms Do? Understanding the Gig Economy. Annual Review of Sociology, 46, 273-294.
Wiener, M., Cram, W., & Benlian, A. (2023). Algorithmic control and gig workers: A legitimacy perspective of Uber drivers. European Journal of Information Systems, 32(3), 485-507.
Yousef A. Alturkey (2024), The Gig Economy: Insights into Worker Experiences in the UK and Saudi Arabia, Open Journal of Business and Management 12 No. 3, May 28, DOI: 10.4236/ojbm. 2024.123094
Yousef, A. (2024). Understanding the working conditions of gig workers and decent work: Evidence from Indonesia’s online ojek riders.
Yu, Dongping & Yang, Ke & Zhao, Xinsi & Liu, Yongsong & Wang, Shanshan & D’Agostino, Maria & Russo, Giuseppe. (2022). Psychological contract breach and job performance of the new generation of employees: Considering the mediating effect of job burnout and the moderating effect of past breach experience. Frontiers in Psychology. 13. 985604. 10.3389/fpsyg. 2022.985604.
Zhao, L., Han, Y. Bureaucratic control across enterprise boundaries: labor organization and the control of the online car-hailing platforms. J. Chin. Sociol. 9, 16 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40711-022-00174-1
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Iranita, Yunia Wardi, Rino

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.





