How to break free from the "tool" dilemma? A study on the impact of perceived algorithmic control on sustainable value co-creation behavior
- 1School of Economics and Management, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
Abstract
With the growing prevalence of algorithmic technologies, algorithmic management has become a dominant control mechanism in the gig economy, profoundly shaping platform workers’ psychological states and behaviors. Grounded in objectification theory and trait activation theory, this study examines how perceived algorithmic control (PAC) affects platform workers’ sustainable value co-creation behavior (SVCB), highlighting the mediating role of workplace objectification (WO) and the moderating role of algorithm aversion (AAV). Using a two-wave survey (n = 285) and a scenario-based experiment (PAC experimental vs. control group; n = 216), the study finds that: (1) PAC significantly negatively affects SVCB; (2) PAC increases WO, which in turn reduces SVCB; (3) AAV positively moderates the indirect effect of PAC on SVCB through WO. This study advances understanding of the psychological mechanisms linking PAC to SVCB in gig work settings. It provides actionable insights for enhancing algorithmic governance and fostering sustained engagement among platform workers.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026break,
title = {{How to break free from the "tool" dilemma? A study on the impact of perceived algorithmic control on sustainable value co-creation behavior}},
author = {Xuan Liu and Yuqing Wang and Haowei Zheng and Yuci Chen},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357097},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357097},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - How to break free from the "tool" dilemma? A study on the impact of perceived algorithmic control on sustainable value co-creation behavior
AU - Xuan Liu
AU - Yuqing Wang
AU - Haowei Zheng
AU - Yuci Chen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/08
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357097
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357097
AB - With the growing prevalence of algorithmic technologies, algorithmic management has become a dominant control mechanism in the gig economy, profoundly shaping platform workers’ psychological states and behaviors. Grounded in objectification theory and trait activation theory, this study examines how perceived algorithmic control (PAC) affects platform workers’ sustainable value co-creation behavior (SVCB), highlighting the mediating role of workplace objectification (WO) and the moderating role of algorithm aversion (AAV). Using a two-wave survey (n = 285) and a scenario-based experiment (PAC experimental vs. control group; n = 216), the study finds that: (1) PAC significantly negatively affects SVCB; (2) PAC increases WO, which in turn reduces SVCB; (3) AAV positively moderates the indirect effect of PAC on SVCB through WO. This study advances understanding of the psychological mechanisms linking PAC to SVCB in gig work settings. It provides actionable insights for enhancing algorithmic governance and fostering sustained engagement among platform workers.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -