Abstract
There is increasing concern regarding the inequalities produced by digital platforms based on volunteered geographic information (VGI). Several forms of inequalities have been observed, namely the unequal spatial coverage and the uneven levels of usage even in territories with good coverage. However, VGI platforms under the logic of platform economy have generated other forms of spatial inequality that require more attention. The cyberspace within VGI platforms is producing different cyberspatialities, especially with the platformisation processes that have made this type of inequality more evident. With this in mind, this paper aims to explore the making of cyberdivisions under the platform economy. We argue that the design of VGI within digital platforms is generating cyberdivisions in the urban economy. This research is particularly interested in exploring the restaurant sector in the TripAdvisor platform in the city of Lisbon. In this paper, we draw on a representative survey by questionnaire to restaurant firm owners. We obtained 385 responses out of a universe of 3453 restaurants. This sample provides a confidence level of 95% and a confidence interval of 5%. In addition, we webscraped data from TripAdvisor to assess its coverage in Lisbon. This study reveals that there are different forms of online presence and engagement which have generated cyberdivisions.
Highlights
Economic organisation in cities is increasingly based on the use of digital platforms as intermediaries of different actors
This paper aims to explore the making of cyberdivisions under the platform economy
We argue that the design of volunteered geographic information (VGI) within digital platforms is generating cyberdivisions in the urban economy
Summary
Economic organisation in cities is increasingly based on the use of digital platforms as intermediaries of different actors. In this context, firms are adapting their business models, moving towards a more open model based on a platform economy logic [1,2,3,4]. The services made available through digital platforms have been the central element in the discussion of the transition from a logic based on goods to a logic based on services. The transition toward an economy increasingly based on ecosystems integrated into platforms has created specific challenges for different economic sectors, as some firms struggle to integrate their services into platform ecosystems to remain competitive. While the fact that more and more companies are based on the principles of the platform economy has provided remarkable innovations in the development of products and services, it is still necessary to remain attentive to the differentiations that platforms make
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