Algorithmic management and gig workers' workplace wellbeing: the moderating role of psychological resilience
- 1School of Business and Management, Jiaxing Nanhu University , ,
- 2School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang , ,
Abstract
This study examines how algorithmic management in the gig economy is related to gig workers' workplace wellbeing. Specifically, we explore how algorithmic management corresponds with (positive) challenge appraisal and (negative) threat appraisal. We also examine the moderating role of psychological resilience in these relationships, as well as the implications of appraisal processes for workplace wellbeing. Data were collected from 389 food delivery workers in China. We find that algorithmic management is positively associated with both challenge appraisal and threat appraisal. Challenge appraisal is positively associated with workplace wellbeing, whereas threat appraisal is negatively associated with workplace wellbeing. Psychological resilience strengthens the challenge-appraisal pathway and the corresponding positive indirect relationship with workplace wellbeing, but it does not significantly buffer the threat-appraisal pathway. These findings show that algorithmic management is associated with both positive and negative appraisal processes and that psychological resilience may play different roles across these pathways. The study therefore offers a more nuanced explanation of the relationship between algorithmic management and gig workers' workplace wellbeing.
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BibTeX
@article{xiaofang2026algorithmic,
title = {{Algorithmic management and gig workers' workplace wellbeing: the moderating role of psychological resilience}},
author = {Zha Xiaofang and Zhang Yue and Zhang Dandan and Feng Xinying and Suziana Mat Yasin},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1960382},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716670},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Algorithmic management and gig workers' workplace wellbeing: the moderating role of psychological resilience
AU - Zha Xiaofang
AU - Zhang Yue
AU - Zhang Dandan
AU - Feng Xinying
AU - Suziana Mat Yasin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in psychology
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1960382
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716670
AB - This study examines how algorithmic management in the gig economy is related to gig workers' workplace wellbeing. Specifically, we explore how algorithmic management corresponds with (positive) challenge appraisal and (negative) threat appraisal. We also examine the moderating role of psychological resilience in these relationships, as well as the implications of appraisal processes for workplace wellbeing. Data were collected from 389 food delivery workers in China. We find that algorithmic management is positively associated with both challenge appraisal and threat appraisal. Challenge appraisal is positively associated with workplace wellbeing, whereas threat appraisal is negatively associated with workplace wellbeing. Psychological resilience strengthens the challenge-appraisal pathway and the corresponding positive indirect relationship with workplace wellbeing, but it does not significantly buffer the threat-appraisal pathway. These findings show that algorithmic management is associated with both positive and negative appraisal processes and that psychological resilience may play different roles across these pathways. The study therefore offers a more nuanced explanation of the relationship between algorithmic management and gig workers' workplace wellbeing.
SN - 1664-1078
ER -