The Effect of Work Flexibility with High Work Motivation and Work Ethic on the Income of Online Motorcycle Taxis Drivers

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of work flexibility on the income of online motorcycle taxi drivers with high work motivation and work ethic as moderating variables. The background of this study is based on the phenomenon of the development of digital application-based transportation that presents a flexible work system. Work flexibility allows drivers to determine the hours, location, and duration of work independently. However, this flexibility is not always directly proportional to increased income, so external factors such as high work motivation and work ethic are needed to strengthen the positive impact of flexibility on income. This study uses a quantitative method with a causal design. The research sample consisted of 100 online motorcycle taxi drivers who are actively working in Indonesia, selected using a purposive sampling method. Primary data were obtained through a questionnaire compiled based on indicators of work flexibility, work motivation, work ethic and income. Data analysis was conducted using multiple linear regression and moderated regression analysis. Based on the results of the study, work flexibility has a positive and significant effect on the income of online motorcycle taxi drivers. Work motivation is not proven to moderate the effect of work flexibility on income. Work ethic is proven to moderate, but weakens the effect of work flexibility on income. The interaction between a very high level of work ethic in conditions of free flexibility actually produces a suppression effect, where the strong influence of time flexibility on income is reduced. This finding confirms that work flexibility alone is not enough to guarantee an increase in income, because its success is largely determined by how drivers manage their working time effectively, and are able to utilize the flexibility of time and place of work more optimally, thus having implications for increasing the number of orders and daily income.