Gig economy workers make strategic decisions about where and when to work. We empirically measure two types of strategic behavior: multihoming, an online change between platforms, and repositioning, a physical change between locations. Using a structural model, we show that workers are highly heterogenous in their preferences for both multihoming and repositioning. We provide counterfactual estimates on the effects of proposed firm and regulatory policies aimed at multihoming and repositioning.

Taxis’ and Uber’s matching technologies differ: taxis random-walk in search of curbside pick-ups while Uber centrally dispatches drivers. We study how taxis can defend against Uber encroachment. We find that imitating Uber’s centralized dispatch can improve taxi market share but only when Uber drivers are relatively reluctant to drive. Otherwise, imitating Uber can entice more Uber drivers to drive, leading to an unintended reduction in taxi market share.

Tele-driving refers to a novel concept in which drivers can remotely operate vehicles. Because remote drivers can be operated as a shared resource, tele-driving has the potential to reduce the severity of the spatial mismatch between vehicle supply and customer demand that is often experienced in on-demand mobility services. In this paper, we compare a traditional ride-hailing system with one with tele-drivers, and quantify the potential gains that could be realized by tele-driving.