Working Between Physical and Virtual Space: Lesson Learned From Indonesian Remote Workers

In the online gig economy, the platform acts as an intermediary that can address the problem of spatial constraints such as commuting and migration costs, so that labor can expand job search geographically. This phenomenon reawakens an old question that is always relevant in the field of economic geography: does the gig economy supported by digital platforms and the internet make geography and physical space no longer relevant? If work can be done from anywhere, hence the online gig economy opens up opportunities to diversify economic activities, empower individuals regardless of where they exist, and bridge the gap between urban and rural areas. This study aims to explore the geographical concentration of online gig workers in Indonesia and delve deeper into factors determining their location choices at the city and neighborhood levels. Additionally, this study reveals how online gig workers perceive the importance of physical spaces related to their working activities, in particular how they would benefit from the local buzz, social networks, and communities to enhance their productivity. By doing so, this study contributes to the literature on platform urbanism, specifically regarding how platform economy link to the discourse on the economics of agglomeration.

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https://newcastleuniversity.zoom.us/j/85315191571

Meeting ID: 853 1519 1571