Navigating the Gig Horizon: Empirical Analysis of Job Satisfaction, Job Security, and Operational Challenges among Male Ride-Hailing Drivers

Abstract

The proliferation of platform-based gig employment has fundamentally transformed urban labour markets, replacing traditional employment models with flexible managed structures. This study empirically examines the determinants of job satisfaction, perceptions of job security, and operational challenges experienced by male Uber drivers in Ernakulam District, Kerala. The paper concludes with actionable platform and regulatory frameworks designed to transition the gig economy from precarious labour toward sustainable livelihoods.