Algorithmic management practices in regular workplaces: case studies in logistics and healthcare

The objective of this study is to understand better the algorithmic management practices adopted by regular workplaces. We investigate the degree of penetration and impact of algorithmic management on work organisation, job quality and industrial relations focusing on the logistics and healthcare sectors. The report focuses in these two sectors because the logistics sector has been at the forefront of digital transformation and has been deploying algorithmic management practices in regular workspaces. Similarly, digital technologies are revolutionising the healthcare sector, and there has been a significant rise in investments in digital health in the aftermath of [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19 pandemic. The research has been conducted in two European countries (Italy and France) and two non-European countries (India and South Africa), allowing for a comparative analysis across countries with different levels of development.

We show that algorithmic management is widely present in traditional sectors, with benefits in terms of streamlining and simplification of work processes and efficiency gains. The implications of these new forms of work for work organisation and working conditions are also discussed. We show significant challenges in terms of potential deterioration of job quality as well as concerns regarding the strong potential for worker surveillance.

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