Co-creation in Macrotask Knowledge Work on Online Labor Platforms
: Seppänen Laura, Spinuzzi Clay, Poutanen Seppo, Alasoini Tuomo
Publisher: VIA University College
: Aalborg
: 2021
: Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies
: NJWLS
: 11
: 2
: 77
: 97
: 2245-0157
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18291/njwls.123166(external)
: https://tidsskrift.dk/njwls/article/view/123166/170221(external)
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/58640943(external)
Nordic working life studies have mostly focused on the precarious aspects of work mediated via online labor platforms. We follow a different approach and examine the potential of such work to benefit professionals by enhancing their job quality and learning. This qualitative, practice-based study applies the concept ‘co-creation’ to examine how a social form of creating value takes place in Upwork macrotask projects. It then investigates how platform features shape opportunities for co-creation. The data comprise interviews of 15 freelancers residing in Finland. The findings sug-gest that co-creation is possible in macrotask projects, but the platform does not seem to actively support co-creation. This paper provides insights into the discussion of job quality at platform work and how co-creation on platforms might be developed to support the Nordic labor market model.