Delivery Work: Exploring Labour Process Change in the Parcel Delivery Sector.

The burgeoning expansion of e-commerce has increased demand for home delivery and has facilitated the growth in parcel delivery companies, subcontracted from retailers. To date there is limited research evidence which explores the impact of this logistics transformation on work, employment and the labour process within the highly competitive sector of parcel delivery. Unpacking the nature of the relationship between parcel delivery companies and their retailer customers is critical to understanding work and employment outcomes at the point of delivery. How do retailers exert their power in these relationships and what is the impact on work and employment at the end point of supply chain, at the point of delivery? Drawing on qualitative research evidence from case-study organisations this project will consider how supply chain pressures are impacting on work, employment and the labour process. The project will seek to contribute to growing debates concerned with labour process change within supply chains as well as contributing to an understanding of labour within wider production networks.