“Liquid Job:” The Emotional Text(Ure) of Work Uncertainty in Quora Site

Abstract

The transformation of professional and productive systems involves an increase in inequality and instability in working careers. It is reflected in an increase in precarious and low-paid Workers, above all in the marginalized area, like Italy. We are witnessing of an increase in Internet users looking for information or asking for help in Question and Answer sites, as Quora Inc. In the study, it is hypothesized that the Italian workers, being more exposed to precarious working conditions, use online communities, like Quora, as spaces of mutual-help regarding the English workers. The research investigates how online sites become sharing environments for Italian and English workers and space to try resolving doubts. The methodology used is a mixed-methods approach: a Sentiment Analysis and an Emotional Analysis were carried out as a quantitative methodology; for the qualitative part, a Discourse Analysis was carried out. The quantitative analysis has an exploratory function, through which it has been highlighted the importance of a mixed methodology.

Keywords

• Work Flexibility; Quora; Mixed-Methods Approach.