Just the way you are – a social sustainability framework for balancing rights, fairness and health in crowdsourced logistics platforms

Connected to last-mile delivery challenges, crowdsourced logistics platforms are emerging. Following this development, managers are required to implement human-centered logistics systems to improve social sustainability and job attractiveness. In crowdsourced logistics platforms, deliveries are assigned to a network of riders through algorithmic management. Social sustainability goals are not yet fully integrated. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to incorporate social sustainability in crowdsourced logistics platforms. It is based on a mixed-methods approach, combining literature analysis, qualitative stakeholder interviews and causal loop diagram methodology. The three areas ‘worker rights’, ‘fairness’ and ‘health and well-being’ are identified as central elements of any social sustainability approach and have been detailed by suggesting altogether 26 variables (e.g. riders’ motivation, algorithmic management, fair payment and mental stress). By highlighting key variables and cause–effect relations, social sustainability principles are outlined and structured for further research in crowdsourced logistics platform contexts and connected managerial decision-making.