Politicized shopping in the gig economy: Retaliation and solidarity on the “other side” of the app

Abstract

In this mixed-methods article, the author investigates how gig workers behave when they become consumers of these products. The author finds that workers engage in politicized shopping – where they order from platform companies with comparably better labor standards – both to retaliate against companies with substandard labor practices and support their fellow gig workers. By examining worker behavior on the “other side” of the platform, this article expands our understanding politicized shopping in this emerging area of work.