PhD Studentship - ‘You Can’t Unionise Robots’: Exploring the Impact of Technology on the Nature of Work in the Logistics Sector in US and UK

Growing research has highlighted the impact of digitalisation on the logistics sector has resulted in increasing levels of work degradation through the implementation of ‘digital Taylorism’, close surveillance and monitoring of worker activity, coupled with draconian performance management regimes (Alimahomed-Wilson and Reese 2021, Moore and Newsome 2018).  To date, however, there is limited analysis of these developments and connections at different points of the logistics supply chain (i.e. warehousing and parcel delivery) as well as  across different regions.

This project will focus upon the impact of digitalisation on logistics workers in the UK and the US focussing on warehouse and parcel delivery workers. More concretely it aims to uncover:

• How does technology impact upon the labour process in relation to; skill utilisation; autonomy and discretion; surveillance and monitoring; working time and performance management across different parts of the logistics supply chain ? 
• How does race and gender shape the experience of work for logistics workers in these two regions?
• What role does ‘place’ play in shaping the experiences of workers in the logistics sector?

The project will comprise of qualitative research methods embracing  case studies of logistics organisations in both warehousing and parcel delivery.  The case studies will be located in key regions in the UK and US which are dominated by logistics employment notably South Yorkshire and the Inland Empire in the US.  The successful candidate will have a background in work and employment with a strong aptitude for qualitative research design.

The research project will be undertaken in collaboration with the Labor Center at the University of California, Riverside. The University of California, Riverside is currently expanding its labour research and teaching offering at the  new Inland Empire Labor and Community Research Center with a focus on the study of labour policy, jobs, and economic and social impacts of labour in the logistics sector.  The project will involve a 4-6 month placement based in Southern California for qualitative fieldwork to be undertaken in the Inland Empire. UC Riverside’s Professor of Sociology Ellen Reese will provide research support and will assist in building contacts with relevant trade unions and gaining access to logistics industry employers and work sites for research purposes. In addition, the student will be provided with office space at the university and will be welcome to attend academic events and classes in the Sociology Department and Labor Studies programme.

This scholarship lies within the research centre the Centre for Decent Work (CDW). For informal enquiries, please contact the first supervisor Professor Kirsty Newsome ([email protected] )

This is a fully funded 3.5 year studentship covering Home or International tuition fees, and a stipend of £19,237. To support the international dimension of this project an enhanced  research and training support grant of £7,250 is available to support research costs. Applicants are required to develop a project proposal of 3000 words and are welcome to contact the supervisor in advance to discuss their ideas. Details about entry requirements and how to apply here can be found on the Management School website here: www.sheffield.ac.uk/management/phd/scholarships .