Virtual Teams in a Gig Economy

Category: Applied Microeconomics and Organization Seminar , Brown Bag Seminars, Management & Microeconomics Brown Bag Seminar
When: 16 December 2021
, 12:30
 - 13:30
Where: HoF room E.22 Commerzbank
Speaker: Yan Chen (University of Michigan)

Title: Virtual Teams in a Gig Economy

Authors: Teng Ye, Wei Ai, Yan Chen, Qiaozhu Mei, Jieping Ye, Lingyu Zhang

Abstract: While the gig economy provides flexible jobs for millions of workers globally, a lack of organization identity and co-worker bonds contributes to their low engagement and high attrition rates. To test the impact of virtual teams on worker productivity, retention and well-being, we conduct a field experiment with 27,790 drivers on a ride-sharing platform. We organize drivers into teams that are randomly assigned to receiving their team ranking, or individual ranking within their team, or individual performance information (control).  We find that treated drivers generate significantly higher revenue. Furthermore, drivers in the team ranking treatment continue to be more engaged three months after the end of the experiment. Survey data suggest that peer learning and team identity contribute to the virtual team efficacy.

 

Organization of the seminar:

  • This seminar is planned as hybrid face-to-face event at Goethe University
  • The 3G rule applies to participation in the seminar, i.e. you can only take part in person, if you are either vaccinated or recovered from Covid. Please carry the respective certificate with you.
  • There is a general obligation to wear medical masks in the buildings of Goethe University.
  • The link for the registration to take part in personl in the seminar as well as the zoom link to take part online will be send in the invitation email.
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