Is Enterprise-Union Coupling Relationship a Promising Way to Improve Platform Workers' Flexibility? A Sensemaking Perspective

Abstract

Flexibility is an important ability of platform workers to adapt to the ever-changing job requirements and the environment in which they work. It is beneficial for enhancing platform workers' work efficiency and promoting the development of platform enterprises. Grounded in sensemaking theory, a theoretical model based on the Chinese industrial relationship context was constructed to reveal the influence of the enterprise-union coupling relationship (EUCR) on platform workers' flexibility. Data from 322 platform workers were analyzed to test the theoretical model. The results indicate the following: (1) Relative to the management practices of platform enterprises (i.e., human resource management practices), EUCR can generate incremental effects on platform workers' flexibility; (2) EUCR promotes career calling, which in turn, improves platform workers' flexibility; and (3) Customer gratitude expression strengthens the relationship between EUCR and career calling, leading to a higher level of flexibility. This study identified new factors affecting platform workers' flexibility from the perspective of interactions between platform enterprises and trade unions. It offers practical guidance for platform enterprises and trade unions in China to provide spiritual support and value transmission to platform workers to boost their flexibility.