Invisible Workers in Philippines’ Ghost Kitchens: Trends and Implications

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14764/10.ASEAS-0113

Keywords:

Cloud Kitchen, Digital Disruption, Hospitality Human Resources, Platform Economy, Virtual Kitchen

Abstract

This research workshop reports on employee relations within ghost kitchens, which are delivery-only food businesses. Surveys conducted with 125 ‘invisible’ ghost kitchen employees revealed that almost 70% of them had less than one year’s experience working in ghost kitchens. Yet, close to half could see themselves working in such environments for four years or more. Ghost kitchens also featured a small pool of less than four staff and a workforce aged 18-25. More than half of the respondents possessed undergraduate qualifications, and at least two-thirds of those surveyed were female. Overall, favorable working conditions, as evidenced by ghost kitchen employees, contribute to theoretical and managerial implications for existing and future ghost kitchen practices.

Author Biographies

Daryl Cornell, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Dr. Daryl Cornell is currently the Chief of the Center for Research Dissemination and Linkages of the Research Management Office of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Dr. Cornell is the Founding President of the Philippine Association of Researchers for Tourism and Hospitality, Inc. the first and only professional organization in the Philippines devoted solely to advocating tourism and hospitality research.

Jay-R Manamtam, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Jay-R Manamtam is a Research Coordinator at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, College of Education Faculty. He has a Master of Arts in Education with a major in Mathematics Education.

Aaron Tham, University of the Sunshine Coast

Dr Aaron Tham is the Subject Component Lead in Tourism, Leisure and Events at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Emerald Publishing’s first Ambassador based in Australia. Aaron is also the Managing Editor of the International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Administration.

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Published

2024-10-28

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Section

Research Workshop