DEMAND CHANGES DETERMINANTS FOR FREELANCERS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GIG ECONOMY AS A NON-STANDARD EMPLOYMENT FORM

Abstract

Introduction. Digitalization and instability of international markets contribute to the growth of non-standard forms of employment in order to provide citizens with additional income, so the purpose of this study is to find factors that influence the change in the number of freelancers officially employed in organizations. Identifying the determinants of growth will help to determine the mechanisms for regulating and controlling the freelance market in Russia in order to protect the social and labor rights of freelancers as employees.

Materials and methods. Basing on the study of domestic and foreign scientific papers, as well as previously conducted author's studies of changes in the conditions for the development of the gig economy in general, and the freelance market in particular, a number of factors were identified for constructing a multiple regression model and identifying the determinants of growth in demand for freelance services on the part of organizations.

Results and conclusions. Factor analysis made it possible to identify the determinants of growth and decline in demand for freelancers among companies in order to forecast changes in the number of temporary workers employed by organizations and to develop timely government support measures to reduce the burden on judicial authorities when resolving labor disputes involving freelancers, as well as to prevent other negative consequences associated with the lack of protection of such workers by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. During the analysis of the research results, two groups of determinants of growth in demand for freelancers were identified: real (global network interaction index and the level of digitalization of government institutions) and potential (urbanization level and GDP per capita). At the same time, the following factors were identified that reduce demand for freelance services: unemployment rate, average wage level, country's R&D expenditure level, life quality level.

Discussion. Tracking changes in the identified determinants will help to determine the number of temporary workers deprived of social guarantees provided by a full-time employee and assess the degree and likelihood of the risk of negative consequences when the number of freelancers working for an organization increases. For example, unequal conditions for the performance of labor functions by temporary and full-time employees can disrupt a healthy atmosphere in work collectives, thereby reducing labor productivity and efficiency, leading to labor disputes, involving both parties to social and labor relations in litigation that requires a constant expenditure of the organization's resources, etc.