⚠️ Test environment — this is a technology demonstration and not the official website of the Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia. Content here is sample data. The official site is jceasia.org.
Open Access · Peer Reviewed · ISSN 2383-9449
Sign inRegister
Journal of Contemporary Eastern AsiaPolitical, social, and economic trends in East and Southeast Asia

Research Article · Vol. 25, No. 1 (2026) · pp. 54-80

Platform Labor in Transition: Food Delivery Riders and Algorithmic Management in Seoul and Jakarta

  • Ji-Won Kang — Sungkyunkwan University
  • Putri Andini — Gadjah Mada University

Published Jun 30, 2026

Abstract

This comparative ethnography of food-delivery riders in Seoul and Jakarta examines how algorithmic management is experienced, contested, and re-negotiated in different labor-market institutions. We show that riders' collective repertoires diverge sharply: app-mediated unionism in Seoul versus mutual-aid moderation networks in Jakarta.

Keywords:platform laboralgorithmic managementSouth KoreaIndonesiagig economy

Platform Labor in Transition: Food Delivery Riders and Algorithmic Management in Seoul and Jakarta | JCEA (Test Site)