Abstract
Research on resistance behaviour in work settings primarily focuses on overt resistance (such as boycotts, marches, or strikes), which is readily observable and acknowledged by both the individuals targeted and external observers. In contrast, covert resistance represents a more subtle, often unrecognised form of resistance, reflected in behaviours such as foot-dragging, non-compliance or workaround. These actions are less visible and can occur beneath the surface of normal workplace activities, making them less commonly studied.
The current study aims to shift attention to a particular type of covert resistance that can be done daily (‘everyday resistance behaviour’ that responds to the context of increasing digitalisation. In this study, we introduce the concept of 'everyday algoactivism'. Building upon empirical and conceptual work on everyday resistance as well as on algorithmic resistance, this paper posits that everyday algoactivism constitutes a distinct category within the spectrum of work-related resistance.
The key rationale behind this investigation is that with increasing digitalisation, resistance in the workplace is no longer directed solely at organisations or managers; it also manifests in response to algorithms that employers often implement to replace certain managerial functions or to enhance automation at work. The use of software or systems that operate based on digital data for human resource-related decision-making is referred to as algorithmic human resource management (Algo-HRM; (Meijerink et al., 2021). Unlike overt forms of resistance, the target of algoactivism is not individuals nor can it be acknowledged by its target (i.e., the algorithm). The objective of this paper is to delineate algoactivism from related constructs and illustrate its unique attributes within the wider framework of workplace resistance. Through an analysis of the constructs associated with algoactivism, this study makes a contribution to the nomological network of work-related resistance behaviours by analysing the constructs related to algorithmic resistance behaviour. In doing so, this study not only clarifies the distinct characteristics of everyday algoactivism but also how it relates to and differs from other forms of resistance. Additionally, this study contributes to the developing field of research on the application of algorithms in the workplace, providing new insights into how workers react towards the implementation of this new technology. By exploring this behaviour, the study offers a different perspective on workplace dynamics and resistance behaviour in the digital era.