Scientific journal paper Q1
Beyond the algorithm: Riders as geographical actors in the city
Francisco José Cuberos-Gallardo (Cuberos-Gallardo, F. J.); Jesús Comesaña-Márquez (Comesaña-Márquez, J.);
Journal Title
Journal of Contemporary Ethnography
Year (definitive publication)
N/A
Language
English
Country
United Kingdom
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Abstract
This paper explores the spatial configuration patterns of riders or delivery drivers in the city of Seville, Spain, through a multidimensional analysis that simultaneously considers the demarcation of territories, the production of places, the articulation of scales, and the construction of networks. For this purpose, data from a qualitative study have been used, based on participant observation exercises, in-depth interviews, and participatory mapping. The results show that, despite the digital mediation of platforms, riders play an active role in the appropriation, delimitation, and signification of urban spaces. The city, as a workplace, is the subject of dispute regarding the forms of territorialisation of the platform companies and those projected by the riders as workers in the sector.
Acknowledgements
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Keywords
Riders,Platform economy,Geographies of work,Geographical actor,TPSN
  • Sociology - Social Sciences
  • Social and Economic Geography - Social Sciences
  • Languages and Literature - Humanities
  • Anthropology - Social Sciences
Funding Records
Funding Reference Funding Entity
PID2021-122890OB-I00 Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation