Reconstructing vocational identity in the gig economy: a protean-boundaryless model for vocational students

  • alzet Rama 
    Universitas Negeri Padang
    Indonesia
  • Wiki Lofandri
    Universitas Negeri Padang
    Indonesia
  • Saftrian Mukhlizul Fuad
    Universitas Negeri Padang
    Indonesia

Abstract

Artikel ini merekonstruksi konsep pembentukan identitas profesional siswa vokasi di tengah transformasi ekonomi gig. Melalui sintesis teoritis, studi ini mengidentifikasi bahwa identitas vokasional tradisional yang dibangun atas spesialisasi tetap, validasi institusional, dan jalur karier linear tidak lagi memadai dalam ekosistem kerja berbasis proyek. Ekonomi gig menuntut identitas yang adaptif, multipel, dan dikelola secara strategis, di mana kemampuan membangun portofolio hibrida, reputasi digital, dan navigasi mandiri menjadi krusial. Artikel mengusulkan model integratif "Protean-Boundaryless" yang memandang identitas sebagai "proyek diri" yang terus diperbarui melalui interaksi dinamis antara agensi individu, struktur platform digital, dan pendidikan vokasi. Implikasinya menuntut pergeseran paradigma pendidikan vokasi dari penyiapan tenaga kerja spesialis menuju pengembangan kapasitas navigasi, ketangguhan psikologis, dan literasi digital untuk merespons ketidakpastian pasar kerja kontemporer

Keywords
  • Ekonomi gig, Pendidikan vokasi, Model protean-boundaryless, Agensi pekerja
Lisensing Information
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

References
  1. Abraham, K., Haltiwanger, J., Sandusky, K., & Spletzer, J. (2019). The Rise Of The Gig Economy: Fact Or Fiction?. Https://Doi.Org/10.1257/Pandp.20191039
  2. Aghajani, M., Ruge, G., & Jugdev, K. (2023). An Integrative Review Of Project Portfolio Management Literature: Thematic Findings On Sustainability Mindset, Assessment, And Integration. Https://Journals.Sagepub.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1177/87569728231172668
  3. Ahmed, V. & Opoku, A. (2021). Technology Supported Learning And Pedagogy In Times Of Crisis: The Case Of Covid-19 Pandemic. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S10639-021-10706-W.Pdf
  4. Alfrey, K., Waters, K., Condie, M., & Rebar, A. (2023). The Role Of Identity In Human Behavior Research: A Systematic Scoping Review. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/15283488.2023.2209586
  5. Alpaydın, Y. & Kültür, K. (2022). Improving The Transition From Higher Education To Employment: A Review Of Current Policies. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/978-981-19-1604-5_5.Pdf
  6. Álvarez, J., Colmenarejo, A., Elobaid, A., Fabbrizzi, S., Fahimi, M., Ferrara, A., Ghodsi, S., Mougan, C., Papageorgiou, I., Lobo, P., Russo, M., Scott, K., State, L., Zhao, X., & Ruggieri, S. (2024). Policy Advice And Best Practices On Bias And Fairness In Ai. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S10676-024-09746-W.Pdf
  7. Bloom, M., Colbert, A., & Nielsen, J. (2020). Stories Of Calling: How Called Professionals Construct Narrative Identities. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0001839220949502
  8. Blustein, D., Ali, S., & Flores, L. (2019). Vocational Psychology: Expanding The Vision And Enhancing The Impact. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0011000019861213
  9. Bowden, J., Tickle, L., & Naumann, K. (2019). The Four Pillars Of Tertiary Student Engagement And Success: A Holistic Measurement Approach. Https://Www.Tandfonline.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1080/03075079.2019.1672647?Needaccess=True
  10. Breznau, N., Rinke, E., Wuttke, A., Nguyen, H. H., Adem, M., Adriaans, J., Álvarez-Benjumea, A., Andersen, H., Auer, D., Azevedo, F., Bahnsen, O., Balzer, D., Bauer, G., Bauer, P., Baumann, M., Baute, S., Benoit, V., Bernauer, J., Berning, C., ... Meyer, D. (2022). Observing Many Researchers Using The Same Data And Hypothesis Reveals A Hidden Universe Of Uncertainty. Https://Doi.Org/10.1073/Pnas.2203150119
  11. Bucher, E., Schou, P., & Waldkirch, M. (2020). Pacifying The Algorithm – Anticipatory Compliance In The Face Of Algorithmic Management In The Gig Economy. Https://Journals.Sagepub.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1177/1350508420961531
  12. Cameron, L. & Rahman, H. (2021). Expanding The Locus Of Resistance: Understanding The Co-Constitution Of Control And Resistance In The Gig Economy. Https://Doi.Org/10.1287/Orsc.2021.1557
  13. Cena, E., Brooks, J., Day, W., Goodman, S., Rousaki, A., Ruby‐Granger, V., & Seymour‐Smith, S. (2024). Quality Criteria: General And Specific Guidelines For Qualitative Approaches In Psychology Research. A Concise Guide For Novice Researchers And Reviewers. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/16094069241282843
  14. Chen, Y. & Reay, T. (2020). Responding To Imposed Job Redesign: The Evolving Dynamics Of Work And Identity In Restructuring Professional Identity. Https://Journals.Sagepub.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1177/0018726720906437
  15. Christiaens, T. (2025). Trust And Power In Airbnb’s Digital Rating And Reputation System. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S10676-025-09825-6.Pdf
  16. Corten, R., Kas, J., Teubner, T., & Arets, M. (2023). The Role Of Contextual And Contentual Signals For Online Trust: Evidence From A Crowd Work Experiment. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S12525-023-00655-2.Pdf
  17. Crocetti, E., Albarello, F., Meeus, W., & Rubini, M. (2022). Identities: A Developmental Social-Psychological Perspective. Https://Www.Tandfonline.Com/Doi/Epdf/10.1080/10463283.2022.2104987?Needaccess=True&Role=Button
  18. Crossley, N. (2021). A Dependent Structure Of Interdependence: Structure And Agency In Relational Perspective. Https://Journals.Sagepub.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1177/00380385211020231
  19. Darling‐Hammond, L., Schachner, A., Wojcikiewicz, S., & Flook, L. (2023). Educating Teachers To Enact The Science Of Learning And Development. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/10888691.2022.2130506
  20. Deranty, J. & Corbin, T. (2022). Artificial Intelligence And Work: A Critical Review Of Recent Research From The Social Sciences. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S00146-022-01496-X.Pdf
  21. Ecton, W. & Wright‐Kim, J. (2025). The Vital Role Of Career And Technical Education In Postsecondary Education. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/978-3-031-86738-5_11-1
  22. Elsbach, K. & Knippenberg, D. (2020). Creating High‐Impact Literature Reviews: An Argument For ‘Integrative Reviews’. Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/Joms.12581
  23. Esmond, B. (2020). Vocational Teachers And Workplace Learning: Integrative, Complementary And Implicit Accounts Of Boundary Crossing. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/0158037x.2020.1767564
  24. Farrell, O. (2020). From Portafoglio To Eportfolio: The Evolution Of Portfolio In Higher Education. Http://Jime.Open.Ac.Uk/Articles/10.5334/Jime.574/Galley/759/Download/
  25. Fiedler, M., Hutzschenreuter, T., Klarmann, M., & Weißenberger, B. (2023). Transformation: Challenges, Impact, And Consequences. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S41471-023-00172-0.Pdf
  26. Ford, M. & Sirait, G. (2019). Workers’ Participation In Indonesia. Https://Doi.Org/10.1057/978-1-137-48192-4_20
  27. Frank, J., Karpinski, J., Sherbino, J., Snell, L., Atkinson, A., Oswald, A., Hall, A., Cooke, L., Dojeiji, S., Richardson, D., Cheung, W., Cavalcanti, R., Dalseg, T., Thoma, B., Flynn, L., Gofton, W., Dudek, N., Bhanji, F., Wong, B., ... Melle, E. (2024). Competence By Design: A Transformational National Model Of Time-Variable Competency-Based Postgraduate Medical Education. Https://Storage.Googleapis.Com/Jnl-Up-J-Pme-Files/Journals/1/Articles/1096/65f83d5d440fa.Pdf
  28. Fransman, J., Hall, B., Hayman, R., Narayanan, P., Newman, K., & Tandon, R. (2021). Beyond Partnerships: Embracing Complexity To Understand And Improve Research Collaboration For Global Development. Https://Www.Tandfonline.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1080/02255189.2021.1872507?Needaccess=True
  29. Gibson, C., Dunlop, P., & Raghav, S. (2020). Navigating Identities In Global Work: Antecedents And Consequences Of Intrapersonal Identity Conflict. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0018726719895314
  30. Gobena, E. (2024). Unboxing Reskilling Narratives: Analysing Practice, Agency And Signifier In Social Media. Https://Onlinelibrary.Wiley.Com/Doi/Pdfdirect/10.1111/Ntwe.12299
  31. Granic, I., Morita, H., & Scholten, H. (2020). Beyond Screen Time: Identity Development In The Digital Age. Https://Www.Tandfonline.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1080/1047840x.2020.1820214?Needaccess=True
  32. Gussek, L. & Wiesche, M. (2024). Understanding The Careers Of Freelancers On Digital Labor Platforms: The Case Of It Work. Https://Onlinelibrary.Wiley.Com/Doi/Pdfdirect/10.1111/Isj.12509
  33. Hajat, A., Andrea, S., Oddo, V., Winkler, M., & Ahonen, E. (2023). Ramifications Of Precarious Employment For Health And Health Inequity: Emerging Trends From The Americas. Https://Doi.Org/10.1146/Annurev-Publhealth-071321-042437
  34. Hammond, M., Thrasher, G., & Lester, G. (2025). A Systematic Review Of The Leader Identity Research: A Road Map For The Rigorous Study And Advancement Of Leader Identity. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/20413866251351752
  35. Han, C. (2018). Precarity, Precariousness, And Vulnerability. Https://Www.Annualreviews.Org/Doi/Pdf/10.1146/Annurev-Anthro-102116-041644
  36. Hartung, P. & Savickas, M. (2024). Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (Caas). Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/978-3-030-89738-3_48-2
  37. Hayes, A. & Ben-Shmuel, A. (2024). Under The Finfluence: Financial Influencers, Economic Meaning-Making And The Financialization Of Digital Life. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/03085147.2024.2381980
  38. Hiim, H. (2022). How Can Collaboration Between Schools And Workplaces Contribute To Relevant Vocational Education?. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S12186-022-09300-Z.Pdf
  39. Hjetland, G., Finserås, T., Sivertsen, B., Colman, I., Hella, R., Andersen, A. I., & Skogen, J. (2024). Digital Self-Presentation And Adolescent Mental Health: Cross-Sectional And Longitudinal Insights From The “Lifeonsome”-Study. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1186/S12889-024-20052-4.Pdf
  40. Jayathilake, N. & Sedera, D. (2021). A Critical Assessment Of Online Vs Traditional Review Characteristics. Https://Arxiv.Org/Pdf/2111.04452
  41. Kellogg, K., Valentine, M., & Christin, A. (2019). Algorithms At Work: The New Contested Terrain Of Control. Https://Doi.Org/10.5465/Annals.2018.0174
  42. Kim, H. (2025). Identification In Global And Virtual Teams: A Systematic Literature Review. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S11846-025-00890-1.Pdf
  43. Kimia, E., Allameh, S., & Hemmati, R. (2019). Addressing Protean And Boundary-Crossing Working Orientations: Turning Point In Talent Phenomena Management. Https://Doi.Org/10.1504/Ijlic.2019.100543
  44. Kirchknopf, S. (2020). Career Adaptability And Vocational Identity Of Commercial Apprentices In The German Dual System. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S12186-020-09247-Z.Pdf
  45. Knell, M. (2021). The Digital Revolution And Digitalized Network Society. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S43253-021-00037-4.Pdf
  46. Koranteng, J., Ismaila, M., Toffah, A., & Okyere-Kwakye, E. (2025). Career Competencies Expected Of The Graphic Design Graduates In Ghana To Meet The Needs Of The Design Industry By Managers. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S44217-024-00375-5.Pdf
  47. Kryger, M. & Qvortrup, A. (2025). Conceptualizing And Developing Vocational Identity - A Scoping Review Of Research In Vocational Education And Training. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S12186-025-09371-8.Pdf
  48. Kurian, J. & Madhavi, N. (2024). Navigating The Gig Economy: Exploring Challenges And Motivations For The Wellbeing Of Gen Y And Gen Z Gig Workers. Https://Www.Tandfonline.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1080/23311908.2024.2357458?Needaccess=True
  49. Lewis, P. (2023). Innovation, Technician Skills, And Vocational Education And Training: Connecting Innovation Systems And Vocational Education And Training. Https://Www.Tandfonline.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1080/13636820.2023.2215749?Needaccess=True&Role=Button
  50. Markey, K., Graham, M., Tuohy, D., Mccarthy, J., O’donnell, C., Hennessy, T., Fahy, A., & Brien, B. (2023). Navigating Learning And Teaching In Expanding Culturally Diverse Higher Education Settings. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/23752696.2023.2165527
  51. Mcadams, D., Trzesniewski, K., Lilgendahl, J., Benet‐Martínez, V., & Robins, R. (2021). Self And Identity In Personality Psychology. Https://Ps.Psychopen.Eu/Index.Php/Ps/Article/Download/6035/6035.Pdf
  52. Mcgrath, S., Powell, L., Alla-Mensah, J., Hilal, R., & Suart, R. (2020). New Vet Theories For New Times: The Critical Capabilities Approach To Vocational Education And Training And Its Potential For Theorising A Transformed And Transformational Vet. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/13636820.2020.1786440
  53. Mende, C., Oswald‐Egg, M., & Caves, K. (2025). Vocational Education And Training (Vet) System Governance: A Systematic Literature Review. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/13636820.2025.2461586
  54. Murakami, K., Panúncio-Pinto, M., Santos, J., & Troncon, L. E. D. (2025). Academic And Non-Academic Life Stressors And Perceived Levels Of Stress In Brazilian Undergraduate Health Professions Students. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1186/S12909-025-07754-Y.Pdf
  55. Mutanen, H., Korhonen, M., & Siivonen, P. (2023). Employability As Self-Branding In Job Search Games: A Case Of Finnish Business Graduates. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/978-3-031-20653-5_15.Pdf
  56. Nästesjö, J. (2024). Between Delivery And Luck: Projectification Of Academic Careers And Conflicting Notions Of Worth At The Postdoc Level. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/S11024-024-09541-3
  57. Petropoulos, F., Akkermans, H., Akşin, O., Ali, I., Babai, M., Barbosa‐Póvoa, A., Battaïa, O., Besiou, M., Boysen, N., Brammer, S., Brandon‐Jones, A., Briskorn, D., Browning, T., Buijs, P., Centobelli, P., Chiarini, A., Cousins, P., Cudney, E., Davies, A., ... Zheng, T. (2025). Operations & Supply Chain Management: Principles And Practice. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/00207543.2025.2555531
  58. Rahman, H. (2021). The Invisible Cage: Workers’ Reactivity To Opaque Algorithmic Evaluations. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/00018392211010118
  59. Rausch, A., Abele, S., Deutscher, V., Greiff, S., Kis, V., Messenger, S., Shackleton, J., Tramonte, L., Ward, M., & Winther, E. (2024). Designing An International Large-Scale Assessment Of Professional Competencies And Employability Skills: Emerging Avenues And Challenges Of Oecd’s Pisa-Vet. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S12186-024-09347-0.Pdf
  60. Reissner, S. & Armitage‐Chan, E. (2024). Manifestations Of Professional Identity Work: An Integrative Review Of Research In Professional Identity Formation. Https://Www.Tandfonline.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1080/03075079.2024.2322093?Needaccess=True
  61. Seibert, S., Akkermans, J., & Liu, C. (2023). Understanding Contemporary Career Success: A Critical Review. Https://Www.Annualreviews.Org/Doi/Pdf/10.1146/Annurev-Orgpsych-120920-051543
  62. Settembre‐Blundo, D., Sánchez, R., Salgado, S., & García‐Muiña, F. (2021). Flexibility And Resilience In Corporate Decision Making: A New Sustainability-Based Risk Management System In Uncertain Times. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S40171-021-00277-7.Pdf
  63. Shen, H. (2025). Bidirectional Human-Ai Alignment In Education For Trustworthy Learning Environments. Https://Doi.Org/10.48550/Arxiv.2512.21552
  64. Shukla, S., Theobald, E., Abraham, J., & Price, R. (2022). Reframing Educational Outcomes: Moving Beyond Achievement Gaps. Https://Doi.Org/10.1187/Cbe.21-05-0130
  65. Singh, J., Steele, K., & Singh, L. (2021). Combining The Best Of Online And Face-To-Face Learning: Hybrid And Blended Learning Approach For Covid-19, Post Vaccine, & Post-Pandemic World. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/00472395211047865
  66. Sirin, S., Brauer, S., & Tugberk, R. (2024). Reframing Adolescent Identity: A Global Perspective For The Digital Age. Https://Doi.Org/10.1146/Annurev-Devpsych-010923-101059
  67. Skea, C. (2021). Emerging Neoliberal Academic Identities: Looking Beyond Homo Economicus. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S11217-021-09768-7.Pdf
  68. Soh, S., Talaifar, S., & Harari, G. (2024). Identity Development In The Digital Context. Https://Onlinelibrary.Wiley.Com/Doi/Pdfdirect/10.1111/Spc3.12940
  69. Srihita, R., Goli, G., Rajyalaxmi, M., & Gobinath, R. (2025). “Transformative Dynamics Of The Gig Economy: Technological Impacts, Worker Well-Being And Global Research Trends”. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/18479790241310362
  70. Stanko, T., Dahm, P., Lahneman, B., & Richter, J. (2020). Navigating An Identity Playground: Using Sociomateriality To Build A Theory Of Identity Play. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0170840620944542
  71. Stephany, F. (2021). One Size Does Not Fit All: Constructing Complementary Digital Reskilling Strategies Using Online Labour Market Data. Https://Journals.Sagepub.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1177/20539517211003120
  72. Subkhan, E. (2023). Vocationalizing Education: The Dangers Of Link-And-Match Paradigm For The Students’ Future. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/978-981-99-1878-2_5
  73. Sun, Y. (2025). Conceptual Blending Theory. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/978-981-96-8488-5_4
  74. Vähäsantanen, K. (2022). Professional Identity In Changing Workplaces: Why It Matters, When It Becomes Emotionally Imbued, And How To Support Its Agentic Negotiations. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/978-3-030-89582-2_2
  75. Vallas, S. & Schor, J. (2020). What Do Platforms Do? Understanding The Gig Economy. Https://Doi.Org/10.1146/Annurev-Soc-121919-054857
  76. Vreuls, J., Klink, M. V., Koeslag‐Kreunen, M., Stoyanov, S., Boshuizen, H. P., & Nieuwenhuis, L. (2023). Responsive Curriculum Development: Which Factors Support Breaking Through Institutional Barriers?. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/13636820.2023.2270470
  77. West, A., Muise, A., & Sasaki, J. (2020). The Cost Of Being “True To Yourself” For Mixed Selves: Frame Switching Leads To Perceived Inauthenticity And Downstream Social Consequences For Biculturals. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/1948550620944049
  78. Wheelahan, L. & Moodie, G. (2021). Gig Qualifications For The Gig Economy: Micro-Credentials And The ‘Hungry Mile’. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S10734-021-00742-3.Pdf
  79. Whelan, B. (2025). Toward Networked Social Identity Theory: Reconceptualizing Social Identity In The Digital Age. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/S13162-025-00321-0
  80. Whitchurch, C., Locke, W., & Marini, G. (2021). Challenging Career Models In Higher Education: The Influence Of Internal Career Scripts And The Rise Of The “Concertina” Career. Https://Link.Springer.Com/Content/Pdf/10.1007/S10734-021-00724-5.Pdf
  81. Windhager, F., Abduhl-Rahman, A., Bludau, M., Hengesbach, N., Lamqaddam, H., Meirelles, I., Speckmann, B., & Correll, M. (2024). Complexity As Design Material. Https://Arxiv.Org/Pdf/2409.07465
  82. Wong, S., Kost, D., & Fieseler, C. (2021). From Crafting What You Do To Building Resilience For Career Commitment In The Gig Economy. Https://Onlinelibrary.Wiley.Com/Doi/Pdfdirect/10.1111/1748-8583.12342
  83. Wood, A. & Lehdonvirta, V. (2022). Platforms Disrupting Reputation: Precarity And Recognition Struggles In The Remote Gig Economy. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/00380385221126804
  84. Wu, J. & Wang, D. (2025). The Relationship Between Meaningful Work And Employability Of Gig Workers: From The Perspective Of Career Sustainability. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/S12144-025-07368-Z
  85. Young, D. & Bunting, B. (2024). Rethinking College Transitions: Legitimate Peripheral Participation As A Pathway To Becoming. Https://Journals.Sagepub.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1177/23328584241255631
  86. Young, M. & Hordern, J. (2020). Does The Vocational Curriculum Have A Future?. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/13636820.2020.1833078
  87. Yousef, K. (2024). Exploring The Impact Of Cultural Diversity In Global Projects: A Comparative Analysis Of Virtual And Face-To-Face Teamwork. Https://Journals.Sagepub.Com/Doi/Pdf/10.1177/14705958241253754

Downloads

PDF

Statistic

Abstract Views
: 25 times
PDF
: 8 times