A DECADE OF GIG ECONOMY RESEARCH (2014-2025): A BIBLIOMETRIC AND SCIENTIFIC MAPPING OF DIGITAL LABOR SCHOLARSHIP

Abstract

This study investigates how the academic discourse on the gig economy has evolved between 2014 and June 2025, particularly in response to the rise of digital labor platforms and algorithmic work coordination. Despite growing scholarly attention, the literature remains conceptually fragmented and lacks conceptual clarity and methodological coherence. Drawing on 1,303 Scopus-indexed publications, this study applies a comprehensive bibliometric and scientific mapping approach using tools such as OpenRefine, BiblioMagika, Biblioshiny, and VOSviewer, through co-authorship analysis, keyword co-occurrence mapping, thematic clustering, and trend visualization, the study uncovers both structural foundations and dynamic shifts in the field. The findings highlight a notable surge in gig economy research after 2020, largely influenced by the proliferation of digital labor platforms and the acceleration of remote work and algorithmic coordination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research focus has shifted from early descriptive accounts to more critical investigations into algorithmic management, digital trust, governance, and platform-enabled labor control. Five major thematic clusters were identified, revealing increasing interdisciplinarity and convergence with domains such as information systems, innovation policy, and digital transformation. While the study is limited by its reliance on Scopus and exclusion of full-text analysis, it provides a timely and methodologically robust overview of the field. It also identifies conceptual blind spots and regional disparities in current scholarship. This paper contributes to the literature on digital labor and platform technologies by clarifying the knowledge base of gig economy studies and offering strategic insights for future research, platform governance, and the management of digital work ecosystems in both emerging and advanced economies.