Heterogeneity in the US gig economy with a focus on gender

Most studies of workers in the gig economy have been limited to gig workers using online digital labour platforms or crowdsourcing platforms. However, by definition, gig workers are independent contractors engaged in a wide variety of mostly ad hoc or short-term activities and tasks, only some of which are linked to online digital platforms. The present research investigated the heterogeneity that exists among gig workers in the USA, with an emphasis on the moderating role of gender. Although motivations for entering the gig economy were relatively similar for males and females, the types of gigs engaged in differed somewhat between males and females. With few exceptions, female gig workers generally expected to earn less than male gig workers when entering the gig economy, and actually did earn less.