A Qualitative Investigation of Unmet Information-Seeking Needs of Online Workers

This qualitative study investigates socialization to online labor platforms using the information-seeking framework introduced by Miller and Jablin’s (1991). As workers adapt to this new work arrangement, they experience ambiguity and uncertainty that triggers seeking out information. Interviews with 29 online workers reveals the unmet information-seeking needs experienced by these workers. The findings extend the theoretical framework of information-seeking to account for the affordances and limitations present in OLPs. Furthermore, our findings suggest practical implications for the design of online labor platforms.

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