The formation and operation mechanism of delivery riders self‑organization—Taking a delivery riders’ self‑organization in Beijing as an example
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to study on the formation and operation mechanism of delivery riders self-organization.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper takes a delivery riders' self-organization in Beijing as an example and uses participant observation method and semi-structured interview method to explore the emergence background, formation operation mechanism and action mode of the delivery riders' self-organization.
Results
Through case analysis, it is found that the emergence of delivery riders' self-organization has dual background, which includes the absence of labor union and the labor control of the platform. The technology empowerment of mobile internet, the weak position of delivery riders in the system, and the organization of mobilizers promote the formation of self-organization. Self-organization takes new media technology as the communication tool, absorbs members based on industry and geography, defines the central goal of the organization, takes unity and mutual assistance as the key words of the organization purpose, and constructs the operation carrier combining online and offline. The action mode of self-organization can be divided into five levels: level of the information sharing which can improve employment quality, level of the entertainment and leisure which can consolidate collective consciousness, level of the mutual assistance and relief which can strengthen collective identity, and that of common rights protection which can safeguard collective rights and interests.
Conclusion
First, when the labor rights and interests of workers are constantly infringed, the self-organization of the group will make them maintain the consistency in collective actions and bring a wide range of social influence; Second, technology empowerment promotes the formation and development of self-organization of delivery riders, strengthens the ability of collective action of workers, makes up for the lack of trade union, which is significant for the self-organization members to enhance their discourse power and safeguard labor rights and interests. Thirdly, the legitimacy problem affects the expansion and action of self-organization. The reasonable organization mode should be dominated by the union and complemented by self-organization.
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