Digital disconnection and resistance among riders of the online food delivery industry

Journal title SOCIOLOGIA DELLA COMUNICAZIONE
Author/s Tiziano Bonini , Emiliano Treré
Publishing Year 2023 Issue 2022/64
Language Italian Pages 20 P. 98-117 File size 447 KB
DOI 10.3280/SC2022-064006
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In this paper, we draw on extensive ethnographic work in Italy, China, India, Mexico and Spain (conducted between 2020 and 2021) to illustrate the different digital disconnection practices developed by riders in the online food delivery industry. First, we conduct a review of the emerging literature on digital disconnection. We then go on to illustrate the individual and collective disconnection dynamics enacted by online food delivery riders, analysing the meanings these actors attribute to these practices. In the conclusion, by critically confronting these practices, we further reflect on the promising area of enquiry at the intersection of digital disconnection, resistance and platform labour studies.

Keywords: digital disconnection; gig working; online food delivery; ethnography; resistance; platform studies.

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Tiziano Bonini , Emiliano Treré, Disconnessione digitale e resistenza tra i corrieri dell’industria del food delivery online in "SOCIOLOGIA DELLA COMUNICAZIONE " 64/2022, pp 98-117, DOI: 10.3280/SC2022-064006