Assignment
Technology has fueled the movement towards the gig economy with apps like Uber, Thumbtack, and Etsy. Read the following two articles from the Wall Street Journal, the blog post from the Wall Street Journal, and listen to the following NPR Podcast to learn more about the gig economy and it's results and implications.
Articles:
1. NPR Podcast: Service Jobs Like Uber Drive Blur Lines Between Old Job Categories by AARTI SHAHANI.
2. An Enduring Mystery of the ‘Gig Economy’: Why Are So Few People Self-Employed? By Josh Zumbrun.
Zumbrun, Josh, and Louie S. Anna. "Proof of a 'Gig Economy' Revolution is Hard to Find; Despite the Hoopla Over Uber, Etsy and the Sharing Economy, Americans are Becoming Less Likely to be Self-Employed, Hold Multiple Jobs, Data show."Wall Street Journal (Online)Jul 26 2015.
Clements, Jonathan. "The High Cost of being Self-Employed; People Who Work for Themselves have to Pay More in Taxes and they are on their Own when it Comes to Insurance and Retirement Savings." Wall Street Journal (Online)Jun 26 2015.
In a one page, single spaced paper, answer the following questions:
• What are some possible explanations offered for the decline in the percentage of people who are self-employed?
• From the workers perspective, what are the advantages and disadvantages of being self-employed in the gig economy?
• From the firm perspective, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using contract workers in the gig economy?
• Are there any potential downsides to this informal "gig economy" workforce from a long-term public policy standpoint?
I will be looking for the following:
• A discussion about the possible reasons for the decline in self-employed identified in the readings/podcast
• Demonstration of critical thinking by considering the advantages and disadvantages of being a worker in the gig economy based upon the information in the readings/podcast
• Demonstration of critical thinking by considering the advantages and disadvantages for a firm in the gig economy based upon the information in the readings/podcast
• Consideration of the implications of the gig economy from the perspective of society and public policy
• Accurate spelling, grammar, and professional communication.