Abstract
Facilitated by technological progress and strict containment policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the application of digital technologies in management is gradually increasing to meet various demands, subjecting employees to algorithm-based control and surveillance. Our study seeks to initiate discussions about digital Taylorism experienced by knowledge workers. This development paper critically reviews the current literature on digital Taylorism and algorithm control and its impacts on the labour process, labour relations, and employees’ experience of work. This paper presents a conceptual framework focusing on digital Taylorism as a new way of control in the digital era and explores two recent phenomena, namely autonomy paradox and sousveillance, as results of algorithm-based management. The study will be placed within the macro-environment of China and assumes that its unique social, cultural, and institutional environment can profoundly impact the targeted phenomenon.