Analyzing The Mediating Role Of OLM Strain In Techno-Stress And Technology Characteristics On Worker Well-Being In Online Gig Economy

Abstract

This research investigates the complex dynamics of the online gig economy, focusing on the relationships between online labour market (OLM) techno-stress, technology characteristics, OLM strain, and workers’ well-being. This is a study conducted within the fast-growing software industry in Pakistan that uses a quantitative, positivist-based methodology to investigate the experiences of 300 software managers and employees in Karachi, Sindh. The research reveals significant results based on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS SEM) analysis. The findings of the current research indicate that there is a significant effect of OLM techno-stress and technology characteristics on workers well-being. Further, the results indicated that OLM strain mediates the relationship between observed variables. This study highlights the need to appreciate the complex relationship between psychological and emotional strains of techno-stress and calls for customized interventions to reduce the challenges faced by gig workers in Pakistan. The theoretical contributions of this study expand the literature on techno-stress and technology attributes within the gig economy, while its practical implications provide important considerations for policy makers, employers, and platform developers, leading to the improvement of worker well-being in the highly dynamic world of the online gig economy.