Is living a calling really a double-edged sword? A latent profile analysis of living a calling and excessive working in the gig economy

Abstract

Purpose This study investigates under which conditions (i.e. latent profiles) living a calling can be a double-edged sword for work and career-related outcomes of gig workers. Design/methodology/approach Using latent profile analysis we identified four profiles of living a calling and excessive working within a sample of 723 gig workers who worked through online labor platforms (OLPs) We used multinomial logistic regression to investigate how the context of OLPs is related to these profiles. Furthermore, we used weighted multiple-group mean comparisons to investigate which outcomes were related to the four profiles. Findings We found that gig work challenges and platform surveillance significantly predicted the excessive calling enactment profile. We furthermore found that individuals within the excessive calling enactment profile showed significantly higher levels of burnout symptoms compared to individuals in the balanced calling enactment profile. However, we found no significant difference in job satisfaction between these profiles. Originality/value We investigate the role of smart technology, AI, robotics and algorithms for modern careers by investigating gig work in the context of OLPs. By doing so, we integrate work as calling theory and theories on excessive working within a new and digitally working context.