ADAPTABILITY OF PLATFORM COOPERATIVISM IN THE MALAYSIAN E-HAILING SECTOR: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY

Abstract

Malaysia’s taxi sector is beginning to question platform capitalism. Penyatuan Pemain Industri Pengangkutan Darat Malaysia (PPDM) has called for the creation of a new government-led platform to replace the online platform companies that have exhausted the taxi industry ecosystem. However, discussions with the Malaysian Government remain parallel. This article uses the theoretical concept of platform cooperativism to explore its adaptability and the potential for transformation from platform capitalism in the Malaysian e-hailing sector. Through the development of the conceptual framework, a commons-based democratic management governance system based on platform cooperativism is developed to move away from platform capitalism, which is a corporate-driven profit-making and management structure. Four key elements for the proper management of platform cooperativism: governance, economy, technology and society can be fully adapted to the demands of PPDM by transforming them from the private sector. Consequently, the realisation of platform cooperativism has the potential to manage the Malaysian e-hailing platform as a shared asset for users and to enable the circulation of benefits within the community.Keywords: : platform cooperativism, gig economy, sharing economy, e-hailing, taxi industry