The Experiences of Autonomy and Constraints of Crowdworkers

With the growing number of online crowdworkers in Korea, both positive and critical perspectives on their autonomy coexist. This study goes beyond a binary perspective to examine the conditions that both ensure and constrain their autonomy in the labor process, analyzing the structural and individual factors that influence autonomy. To investigate this, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 online crowdworkers in Korea, and the research data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The main findings are as follows. First, during peak seasons, when work availability is plentiful and piece rates are high, crowdworkers tend to work with limited autonomy to maximize profits, even under poor working conditions. In contrast, during off-peak seasons, when work availability is lower and piece rates are low, they are more likely to make choices that offer greater autonomy. Second, the differences in autonomy between peak and off-peak seasons are influenced not only by direct corporate control but also by structural constraints, such as piece rates, work availability, information asymmetry between platforms and workers, and hierarchical relationships between them. Third, even under the same structural conditions, workers' ability to exercise autonomy varies based on their individual market bargaining power. Those with greater market bargaining power can exercise more autonomy, while those with less market bargaining power face greater constraints. This study suggests that online crowdwokers do not exercise the same levels of autonomy and as it varies depending on corporate control, structural constraints, and workers' market bargaining power. Therefore, future discussions on enhancing the autonomy of online crowdworkers must consider the various structural constraints of the labor market and the individual characteristics related to their market bargaining power.