Final answer:
Leading Fortune 500 companies utilize platforms like Upwork and TopTal to access highly skilled gig workers because these workers are highly productive, benefit from technological advances, and can operate in a global marketplace, unlike lower-skilled workers who face stiffer global competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fortune 500 companies are increasingly relying on next-generation talent platforms such as Upwork and TopTal primarily for access to highly skilled gig workers (C). These platforms provide businesses access to specialized talent on an as-needed basis, which supports the scalability and flexibility of their workforce. This phenomenon is also linked to the rising demand for high-skilled labor, propelled by the integration of new information and communications technologies and the globalization of trade. High-skilled workers, such as top business managers, consultants, and design professionals, are now more productive and can offer their services globally. This expands their opportunities beyond local markets, while lower-skilled workers face increased competition on a global scale.
Due to the increase in international trade and the explosion of technological advancements, high-skilled labor is in greater demand. Industries like tech and consulting seek these specialized skills, leading to economic environments similar to California's Silicon Valley, where there is local inflation in wages and housing costs due to the concentration of high-skill jobs. In comparison, low-skilled manufacturing, or footloose industries like the textile industry, are more likely to relocate in search of lower labor costs.