Case Study or Brief
Applying FiDA’s Platformization Lens to Upwork
With the support of
Upwork connects millions of freelancers with businesses worldwide, but its role goes beyond job matching. This case study applies FiDA’s platformization lens to show how Upwork’s platform structure supports economic inclusion. It breaks down how Upwork reduces labor market friction, facilitates secure transactions, and builds worker credibility. It also explores how platforms like Upwork could expand their impact by offering worker benefits, enabling access to credit, or reporting earnings to governments to formalize gig work. The analysis highlights how digital platforms, even those outside financial services, can be powerful engines for inclusive growth when leveraged thoughtfully.
Contributors Marissa Dean
Date
Related Project
Partnership for Finance in Digital Africa, Platform-Led Upskilling
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. 
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