Portfolio worker in the platform economy: possibilities of sociological analysis and theorization
Abstract
The future is here. So far if we take a closer look at the various economists’ predictions on the gig economy development in the context of several portfolio types of work as translation, interpreting, copywriting or consultancy let alone professional activities directly connected to the digitalisation of economy and society or IT sector. What we can see is one of the key trends in the global societal and economic development in last several decades. It concerns such phenomenon as a flexible employment. It is crucial not only for job market in its global and local dimensions. This phenomenon is also described within the frames of self-employment, freelance or so-called portfolio working. These phenomena have come to the fore as a part of the greater economic development and globalization tendencies. In 2004 the portfolio workers were defined as “independent knowledge workers whose work conditions are inherently inflexible and often mobile”.
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