The platform economy as a working opportunity for older people: The case of the Hungarian carpooling company Oszkár
Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy
ISSN: 1750-6204
Article publication date: 11 February 2020
Issue publication date: 2 March 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show that gig jobs could be considered an alternative way, albeit not the very best, to give work opportunities to older people. This could offset the continuously decreasing income from the pay-as-you-go pension system, which remains the main source of income for older Hungarians.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews the most important aspects of employment of older people and highlights the digital divide which still restricts their participation in the labor market. The paper analyzes data from the Hungarian carpooling company Oszkár and compares it with official statistical data from the Hungarian labor market, focusing on the dynamics of the employment of older persons.
Findings
The findings show that the alienation of older workers from the gig economy is just transitory, and that an increasing proportion of older gig workers can be anticipated.
Research limitations/implications
Compiling data on the gig economy faces a number of obstacles, as enterprises are disincentivized from revealing all their data.
Social implications
Older people are more likely to be employed in lower-quality jobs, such as own-account self-employed. They are also increasingly more likely to become gig workers.
Originality/value
The paper articulates the importance of remaining active as one ages and moreover challenges the traditional belief that gig jobs mainly offer opportunities to the younger generations.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research has been supported by the European Union and Hungary and co-financed by the European Social Fund through the project EFOP-3.6.2-16-2017-00017, titled “Sustainable, intelligent and inclusive regional and city models.”
Citation
Berde, É. and Tőkés, L. (2020), "The platform economy as a working opportunity for older people: The case of the Hungarian carpooling company Oszkár", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 76-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-09-2019-0092
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited