Global Platform Research Articles

MEDIA LAW IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA: CURRENT TRENDS IN DEVELOPMENT

In the modern era, the not at all new maxim that information rules the world is getting a new, this time “digital-platform” confirmation of its truth. With the emergence of global online platforms in the 1990s, the categories of “freedom of speech”, “freedom of mass information" and “freedom of self-expression”, while gradually changing the technological formats of their embodiment and implementation, keep their democratic essence and role in the processes of personal, public and state development unchanged.
 As humankind enters its next information cycle, roughly covering the first decades of the 21st century, institutional and regulatory potential of the historically “youngest” information and communication freedom — the freedom of web-based (online) information and communication — is gradually taking shape, gaining institutional and regulatory potential. Like its antecedents (freedom of speech, press, radio and television broadcasting), it requires a certain upgrade of its social regulatory mechanisms as it “matures” and enters into the life of global, national and regional societies.
 It is the context of the implementation of this kind of innovation on the example of a specific country — Australia — that determines the basic subject of this article, its main essential component. Specific and topical manifestations of this essence are analyzed by the authors of this article using examples of legal and other regulatory systems in the Australian media sphere. For example, one of the subjects of analysis is the question of how is Australia coping with the challenge of updating its social regulatory mechanisms in the media sphere. And, as a logical consequence of the former, is there any position in Australia's relevant experience that is worthy of reception in other legal and ethical orders?
 Focusing on these issues the authors review some of the most interesting decisions taken by the Australian government over the past decade. The authors also analyse the current law and other regulatory mechanisms and instruments in Australia aimed at regulating the mass media public relations in this country as well as the main trends of their development. In particular, such as pioneer (Australia is a recognised pioneer in this sphere of legal regulation!) changes in the regulation of digital media platforms on the example of Google and Facebook (from October 28, 2021 — Meta Platforms, Inc. in Russia, admitted as extremist organization by the Moscow Tverskoi Court), and quite specific modifications of Australian national defamation law.

Platform Operations under Dual-Channel Catering Supply Chain

In the modern catering business model, restaurants usually use established platforms to promote their food and use two channels to sell their food: online and offline sales. We construct demand functions for online and offline, considering promotion and substitution relationships by a revised Bertrand model. We first consider three classic models: the decentralized decision model, the equilibrium decision model, and the centralized decision model. In the decentralized decision model, the platform decides both the promotional effort and the online discount; in the equilibrium decision model, the platform decides the online discount, while the food service provider decides the promotional effort. In the centralized decision model, the takeaway platform and the food service provider have maximized the overall profit as the decisive goal. We find that the online discount decreases in price when the impact factor of the online promotion is high but increases in price when the impact factor of the online promotion is low. Then, we analyze and compare the results under three models. We find that when the substitution factor is low enough, or the impactor factor of online promotion is low enough, the global optimal platform discount is higher than the equilibrium platform discount and the decentralized online discount; otherwise, the results are the opposite. In addition, the global optimal promotional effort is always higher than the optimal promotional effort in the decentralized model. When the substitution factor is low enough, or the impactor factor of online promotion is low enough, the global optimal promotional effort is higher than the equilibrium optimal promotional effort; otherwise, the result is the opposite.

Single-valued neutrosophic dynamic aggregation information with time sequence preference for IoT technology in supply chain management

The Internet of thing (IoT) is a global platform for connecting intelligent objects over the Internet. It facilitates the integration of the “supply chain (SC)” and “information and communication technology (ICT)” infrastructures inside a company and with its vendors and clients. The “supply chain management (SCM)” is presently required if a firm wishes to keep up with the rapid evolution of its consumers’ needs. Several research has demonstrated that manufacturing companies must expedite the transition of their attention to sustainable development and the application of innovative technologies, such as IoT, in order to achieve their organizational objectives most efficiently. This study intends to examine the IoT’s applicability in SCM and assess the most popular IoT systems. The difficulty of identifying the best suitable IoT system is dependent on a multitude of variables, which are sometimes stated as incomplete and unreliable estimations. In order to reach an outcome, this paper proposes a multi-criteria paradigm for IoT solution selection in a single-valued neutrosophic environment. Single-valued neutrosophic set (SiVNS) is a strong model to address uncertain information in terms of three membership functions, namely indeterminacy, truthfulness, and falsity. The goal of this study is to introduce some dynamic single-valued neutrosophic aggregation operators (AOs) for multi-period decision-making problems that involve uncertain single-valued neutrosophic information. We develop novel Einstein AOs named as “dynamic single-valued neutrosophic Einstein weighted averaging (DSiVNEWA) operator and dynamic single-valued neutrosophic Einstein weighted geometric (DSiVNEWG) operator”. Several characteristics of the suggested AOs are investigated. Additionally, we develop a multi-stage dynamic decision analysis utilizing ideal solutions. To illustrate the proposed technique, a numerical example is presented. Comparison and authenticity analyses are conducted to ascertain the efficacy and superiority of the suggested multi-stage dynamic decision analysis in the practical situation.

The Use of Global English Pare Platform as A Mobile Learning Resource to Learn English Vocabulary

The use of Instagram nowadays has been widely expanded as a source to learn English by the huge number of EFL students. The most popular use of Instagram these days is to learn vocabulary. The account facilitated the English learners the materials for learning. The object of the study was to investigate the Students Perception upon the Use of English Learning Account on Instagram which in this case of study was the account of Global English Pare as a Mobile Learning Resource to Learn English Vocabulary, employed using a descriptive qualitative method with online questionnaire, interview, and documentation as the instruments. The data were collected from second semester English students of E2D class at University of Mataram. The participants in this study were chosen using the cluster sampling technique which resulted in selecting 30 members of English second semester students of University of Mataram. It can be inferred that the student's perception towards Global English Pare account was varied and they dominantly presented positive opinions about the platform which indicated the good reflection upon their experience of using the platform as media to learn vocabulary. The majority of students found the account was very effective to develop their vocabulary mastery by portraying several personal positive reasons recorded in the interview section. Meanwhile, it was also found by the students the few numbers of difficulties during their activities using the platform.

Convergence in approaches taken by both East & West to tackle Digital Platforms Anti-Competitive Practices

This Article focuses on how East and West are taking steps to combat the dominance of major online platforms. The piece considers several major judicial and regulatory decisions from China, USA, and Europe in an effort to assess the level of success or failure enjoyed by antitrust regulators in recent investigations where they seek to attempt to maintain competition in digital marketplaces, by subjecting global digital platforms’ terms of business and business practices to antitrust scrutiny. The outcomes are sometimes not as expected, and some antitrust decisions by regulatory bodies have been reversed by the courts from time to time.

Chemical diversity and antifouling activity of geniculate calcareous algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from Brazil.

Marine biofouling is a natural process by which many organisms colonize and grow in submerged structures, causing serious economic consequences for the maritime industry. Geniculate calcareous algae (GCA; Corallinales, Rhodophyta) produce bioactive secondary metabolites and are a promise for new antifouling compounds. Here, we investigated the antifouling activity of four GCA species-Amphiroa beauvoisii, Jania sagittata (formerly Cheilosporum sagittatum), Jania crassa, and Jania prolifera (formerly Amphiroa flabellata)-from the Brazilian coast against macro- and microorganisms. Simultaneously, metabolomic tools were applied to assess the chemical profiles of these seaweeds using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Data analysis by principal component and molecular networking analyses used the global natural products social molecular networking platform (GNPS). Our results showed that all extracts were active against different strains of marine bacteria and that the J. sagittata (JsSI) extract showed the highest percentage of bacterial inhibition. The J. sagittata (JsSI) extract was the most active against the mussel Perna perna, showing 100% byssus inhibition. Regarding toxicity, only the J. crassa (JcP) extract showed a 20% mortality rate. The chemical profiles of the evaluated GCA extracts differed qualitatively and quantitatively. Yet, the steroid (3β)-cholest-5-en-3-ol was the major compound commonly identified in all extracts, with the exception of J. sagittata (JsSI). Moreover, we observed intra- and interspecific chemical variabilities among GCA extracts for the different populations, which could explain their antifouling activity variability. This study contributed new information about the chemical compounds produced by this group of seaweeds and showed its antifouling potential. These GCA species may be the subject of future studies to obtain new bioactive compounds with biotechnological potential in maritime areas.

Mediatised marketplaces: Platforms, places, and strategies for trading material goods in digital economies

Digital marketplaces are standard and pervasive sites to trade and exchange material consumer goods worldwide. Yet the media characteristics of different, situated marketplaces have received relatively sporadic attention from the field of media and communication studies, despite the otherwise prominent disciplinary interest in digital technologies, platforms and processes of mediatisation. This paper coalesces perspectives from social, geography and retail studies with mediatisation approaches to extend a theorisation of digital marketplaces as ‘mediatised marketplaces’, focusing on the discussion of interactions between digital media and place involved in the distribution of material goods. We use illustrative examples of two different local marketplaces – the Swedish Tradera and Facebook Marketplace – to demonstrate how mediatised marketplaces challenge a range of distinctions, including between offline and online, material and immaterial, local and global. Mediatised marketplaces such as Tradera and Facebook Marketplace are grounded in place and local market identities, even as they operate on or are owned by global platforms; they rely on communicative as much as logistical functionalities of media; and are transformative of media and consumption practices. The paper contributes to studies of mediatisation and its impacts.

Global DGNSS service for mobile positioning through public corrections

Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) is a technique that uses a reference station to provide accurate corrections for nearby user receivers. Tens of thousands of reference stations have been deployed to provide the DGNSS service for vehicles and pedestrians all over the world. However, wide applications of DGNSS technique are limited by two challenges: (1) the cost of deploying and maintaining so many reference stations over a large region is very high; and (2) most of low-cost GNSS receivers only provide the single point positioning results via NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) messages, without outputting raw measurements and without supporting DGNSS operations. This study aims to develop a global DGNSS platform not only for normal DGNSS receivers, but also for the receivers that only output standalone positions via NMEA messages. This platform generates the DGNSS corrections from Precise Point Positioning (PPP) corrections, without requiring additional physical reference stations. A position-domain DGNSS algorithm based on the PPP corrections is proposed for normal standalone receivers that only provide NMEA messages. Extensive static and dynamic tests on professional receivers and normal smartphones show that the accuracy is improved by more than 40% using the proposed global DGNSS service.

Enhancing Local SMEs through Village-Owned Enterprises: A Case Study in Indonesia


 
 
 
 
 
 Abstract: This article presents a community engagement initiative (abdimas) as part of Higher Education's Tri Dharma, conducted in Lemujut Village, Krembung District, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java. The project focuses on empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by leveraging the Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumdes) as a Distribution Center for local products. Through direct interaction and knowledge dissemination about the Distribution Center concept, the aim is to amplify the visibility and market reach of Lemujut Village's MSME products, fostering competitiveness in the national and global markets while enhancing the local economy. The program employed direct interviews and questionnaires for information dissemination, leading to positive outcomes where Lemujut Village's MSMEs expressed willingness to collaborate with Bumdes as their partner. This study contributes to strengthening MSMEs and Bumdes collaboration models, offering insights for sustainable community development.
 Highlight:
 
 Holistic Community Engagement: This article outlines a higher education community engagement initiative (abdimas) targeting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Lemujut Village, leveraging the Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumdes) as a pivotal Distribution Center for local products.
 Enhancing Visibility and Competitiveness: By disseminating knowledge about the Distribution Center concept and facilitating direct interactions, the project aims to enhance market reach and competitiveness of Lemujut Village's MSME products on national and global platforms, concurrently contributing to the local economy.
 Collaboration and Sustainability: Employing direct interviews and questionnaires, the study demonstrates successful outcomes, showcasing willingness among Lemujut Village's MSMEs to collaborate with Bumdes. The findings enrich models of MSMEs and Bumdes collaboration, offering valuable insights for fostering sustainable community development.
 
 Keyword: Community Engagement, MSMEs Empowerment, Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumdes), Distribution Center, Sustainable Development
 
 
 
 
 

Enhancing Local SMEs through Village-Owned Enterprises: A Case Study in Indonesia


 
 
 
 
 
 This article presents a community engagement initiative (abdimas) as part of Higher Education's Tri Dharma, conducted in Lemujut Village, Krembung District, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java. The project focuses on empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by leveraging the Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumdes) as a Distribution Center for local products. Through direct interaction and knowledge dissemination about the Distribution Center concept, the aim is to amplify the visibility and market reach of Lemujut Village's MSME products, fostering competitiveness in the national and global markets while enhancing the local economy. The program employed direct interviews and questionnaires for information dissemination, leading to positive outcomes where Lemujut Village's MSMEs expressed willingness to collaborate with Bumdes as their partner. This study contributes to strengthening MSMEs and Bumdes collaboration models, offering insights for sustainable community development.
 Highlight:
 
 Holistic Community Engagement: This article outlines a higher education community engagement initiative (abdimas) targeting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Lemujut Village, leveraging the Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumdes) as a pivotal Distribution Center for local products.
 Enhancing Visibility and Competitiveness: By disseminating knowledge about the Distribution Center concept and facilitating direct interactions, the project aims to enhance market reach and competitiveness of Lemujut Village's MSME products on national and global platforms, concurrently contributing to the local economy.
 Collaboration and Sustainability: Employing direct interviews and questionnaires, the study demonstrates successful outcomes, showcasing willingness among Lemujut Village's MSMEs to collaborate with Bumdes. The findings enrich models of MSMEs and Bumdes collaboration, offering valuable insights for fostering sustainable community development.
 
 Keyword: Community Engagement, MSMEs Empowerment, Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumdes), Distribution Center, Sustainable Development
 
 
 
 
 

Perspectives on biorefineries in microbial production of fuels and chemicals

Microbes drive our complex biosphere by regulating the global ecosystem through cycling elements and energy. Humankind has barely begun leveraging this biotransformation capacity to impact global economies and ecologies. Advances in genetic engineering, molecular analysis, metabolic flux modeling, microbial consortia/biome mapping and engineering, cell-free bioproduction, artificial intelligence/machine learning and the ever expanding -omics frontiers have set the stage for paradigm changes to how humankind produces, uses, transforms, and recycles carbon and energy through microbes. Harnessing this enormous potential could drive a global bioeconomy and manage carbon at a planetary level but requires understanding and application at a grand scale across a broad range of science and engineering disciplines. The penultimate manifestation of these advances is the “bio-refinery”, which is often referenced, but is a long way from being fully developed as a global carbon management platform. Broadening the feed stocks, processing operations, and product portfolio to a sequential cascade optimizing the conversion as a whole instead of limited outputs could greatly advance deployment and stability of a bioeconomy.

‘Platform stress’: exploring a new type of stress in the sharing economy

ABSTRACT In global P2P accommodation platform operations, hosts can experience severe stress from the platform company, customers, and technological complexity. Applying sociotechnical theory, this study aims to explore platform stress in the sharing economy and verify the stressor-strain-outcome (SSO) framework. A survey of Airbnb hosts demonstrates that ‘conflict with headquarters,’ ‘negative reviews from customers,’ and ‘technological complexity’ influence the ‘strain’ of hosts. Furthermore, we verify the role of firm performance that negatively affects switching intention. It also serves as a moderator in the relationship between strain and switching intention. Focusing on platform stress, this study evaluates the concept and definition of platform stress and provides useful insights for platform business operators.

Impact of a digital education platform to combat global inequity in oncology education amongst healthcare professionals in lower socioeconomic areas.

140 Background: Studies have shown that lower socioeconomic (LS) status contributes to heavier disease burden. While finances and infrastructural challenges have contributed to these inequities, access to the latest medical information has been cited as an equally important contributor. To address this, MedNews Week (MNW), a free, digital education platform was developed to provide global oncology education through its programming featuring Keynote presentations from oncology’s global leaders. To reach healthcare professionals (HCP), MNW has partnered with VuMedi, a global video education platform for physicians. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of MNW’s oncology programming on VuMedi’s education platform for HCP. Methods: From September 2022 to February 2023, MNW hosted 37 global oncology leaders and their Keynote Presentations were showcased on VuMedi. Data including viewership, global reach, page views, tumor subtype views, unique visits, and audience occupation demographics. In collaboration with VuMedi, descriptive analysis was performed, and a mixed-methods approach was employed to assess engagement. Results: During this 6-month period, the MNW channel on VuMedi demonstrated increased linear growth. Programming generated 4,387,213 total page views and 206 channel views with viewership from 22 countries— 12 of which are from LS areas, including Nigeria, Sudan, Georgia, and Bangladesh. Viewers were largely surgeons compared to Allied HCP (11:2). Solid tumors had high viewership [706 (0.012%) page views and 9717 (7%) impressions] compared with heme malignancies [689 (0.001%) page views and 1688 (1.22%) impressions]. Within solid tumors, GI oncology presentations were the most viewed— generating 3755 (0.06%) page views and 28067 (20%) impressions, and the highest number of registrations recorded for this category. During this period, the channel had 1,750,161 total visits with 44,982 new registrants. Conclusions: MNW has demonstrated an ability to attract and sustain a diverse, global, growing physician audience— especially within LE areas. While previous studies have identified internet access, cost, and infrastructural challenges as barriers to high-quality medical information, MNW has experienced steady growth and reachability especially within these limited areas. The platform’s ability to showcase global leaders to HCP offers an effective and practical approach to combat educational inequity, while positively impacting oncology education globally.[Table: see text]

Global Digital Platforms’ Non-Market Strategies in Response to Institutional Pressure

Global Digital Platforms’ Non-Market Strategies in Response to Institutional Pressure

How Does the Central Government Make a Remark in the International Arena of Disaster Risk Reduction? Focusing on the Frequency of Statement Publication at the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

This study aims to clarify the attitudes of each member state on disaster risk reduction (DRR), and the issues that need to be addressed in the international arena of DRR, to move forward with the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR). To this end, we focused on the last three United Nations meetings of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) after the agreement on the SFDRR and analyzed the frequency of publication of official statements by each member state. In addition, the status of these official statements was analyzed in terms of the actual geographical distribution of disaster risk. We clarified that (1) the GPDRR is not necessarily aware of the situation and opinions of all member states; (2) the trends between the frequency of official statement publication and the actual amount of risk are not always closely related; (3) the member states in the Asian and Pacific Ocean region were more active in presenting official statements than those of other continents; in other words, the attitudes of Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and some African member states, which also have high disaster risks, were shared less frequently in the international arena; (4) some least-developed member states are actively making official statements and expressing their intentions despite the limited human and financial resources. The results of this study would be helpful for member states that have not yet made official statements in the past GPDRR to advance their official statement publication and situations in the international arena.

Systematic Sampling of the Female Reproductive System for Molecular Characterization.

As part of the National Institutes of Health Human BioMolecular Atlas Program to develop a global platform to map the 37 trillion cells in the adult human body, we are generating a comprehensive molecular characterization of the female reproductive system. Data gathered from multiple single-cell/single-nucleus and spatial molecular assays will be used to build a 3D molecular atlas. Herein, we describe our multistep protocol, beginning with an optimized organ procurement workflow that maintains functional characteristics of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes by perfusing these organs with preservation solution. We have also developed a structured tissue sampling procedure that retains information on individual-level anatomic, physiologic, and individual diversity of the female reproductive system, toward full exploration of the function and structure of female reproductive cells. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation and preservation of the female reproductive system (ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus) prior to procurement Basic Protocol 2: Removal of the female reproductive system en bloc Basic Protocol 3: Postsurgical dissection of ovaries Basic Protocol 4: Postsurgical dissection of fallopian tubes Basic Protocol 5: Postsurgical dissection of cervix Basic Protocol 6: Postsurgical dissection of uterine body Support Protocol 1: OCT-embedded tissue protocol Support Protocol 2: Tissue fixation protocol Support Protocol 3: Snap-frozen tissue protocol Basic Protocol 7: Tissue slice preparation for Visium analysis Support Protocol 4: Hematoxylin and eosin staining for 10X Visium imaging Basic Protocol 8: Manual tissue dissociation forMultiome analysis Basic Protocol 9: Tissue dissociation forMultiome analysis using S2 Singulator.

Special Issue on Trans-Disciplinary Approach (TDA) and Decision Making on Building Disaster Resilience

A transdisciplinary approach (TDA) for disaster risk reduction (DRR) is an inclusive and collaborative implementation strategy that brings together stakeholders from various disciplines and sectors. TDA facilitates the collective efforts of diverse stakeholders, encouraging them to work together to co-produce and co-implement solutions that reduce disaster risks. Technical Committee 21, “Transdisciplinary approach for building societal resilience to disasters (TC21),” was established as a technical committee of the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council in 2016. TC21 has been engaged in international collaborative research activities aimed at mitigating water-related disasters by introducing scientific, knowledge-based decision making using the TDA. This special issue features four case studies that analyze DRR efforts through the lens of the TDA. One such case covers Xinshan Village in Taiwan, which sustained devastating impacts from Typhoon Morakot in 2009. Through collaborative efforts involving all levels of government, residents, academia, and specialists, the village successfully prevented there being any casualties. The second study focuses on the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program in Japan, a program which is developing disaster risk information systems through collaboration with local municipalities. These systems play crucial disaster management roles on the ground. The third study examines the mechanisms of cost- and responsibility-sharing for disaster management, developed by Japan and the US, and highlights the importance of collaboration and shared accountability in building resilient societies. The fourth study analyzes statement publications at the UN Global Platform for DRR and finds that the number of member states publishing official statements is decreasing. The findings of these articles demonstrate that collaboration, technology, and investment is crucial for DRR and that these areas can be developed through the TDA. By fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and investing in resilient solutions, stakeholders can collectively build more resilient societies.

Risk and Severity of COVID-19 Infection in Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A 3-Year Propensity Matched Cohort Study.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant disorder causing monoclonal plasma cell proliferation in bone marrow. This population is at risk of developing multiple myeloma (MM) and severe viral infections; risk factors of severe COVID-19 infection. Using TriNetX, a global platform providing data of 120 million patients, we aimed to quantify the risk and severity of COVID-19 in MGUS patients. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network. From January 20, 2020, to January 20, 2023, we identified a cohort of 58,859 MGUS patients and compared to non-MGUS patients, determined by relevant diagnosis/LOINC test codes. After 1:1 propensity score-matching, we identified COVID-19 cases to quantify risk and identify patients who had been hospitalized, ventilated/intubated, and deceased to quantify severity. Measures of association and Kaplan-Meier analysis were conducted. After propensity-score matching, there were 58,668 patients in both cohorts. MGUS patients were found to be at a reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.91). MGUS patients with COVID-19 showed higher mortality risk and decreased survival time compared to the general population (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.27). MGUS patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized exhibited significantly decreased survival time (log-rank test, P=0.04). As COVID-19 remains a looming health concern, especially amongst vulnerable populations, our analysis emphasizes the need for adequate vaccination and treatment regimens as well as an understanding of the severity of infection in MGUS patients and justification for precautionary measures.

Transformation of the Digital Payment Ecosystem in India: A Case Study of Paytm

Paytm is a payment app in India providing e‐wallet services; it is also the most prominent mobile e‐commerce app in the world’s third‐largest economy. This article uses Paytm as a case study to better understand the global platform economy and its implications for social and economic inequities. We contextualize the emergence of Paytm by drawing attention to its relationship with India’s developing digital infrastructure and marginalized populations—many of whom are part of the platform’s user base. We use a political economy lens to investigate Paytm’s market structure, stakeholders, innovations, and beneficiaries. Our research is guided by the question: What resources, infrastructures, and policies have given rise to India’s digital payment ecosystem, and how have these contributed to economic and social inequities? Accordingly, we audited the international and Indian business press and Paytm’s corporate communications from 2016 to 2020. Our analysis points to the tensions between private and public interests in the larger platform ecosystem, dispelling notions of platforms as neutral arbiters of market transactions. We argue that Paytm is socially beneficial to the extent that it reduces transaction costs and makes digital payments more accessible for marginalized populations; it is detrimental to the time that it jeopardizes user data and privacy while suppressing competition in the platform economy.

The Profitability Puzzle of Digital Labor Platforms

By examining digital labor platforms that connect customers with gig workers, we attempt to solve the puzzle concerning why these labor platforms, such as ride-hailing companies and food delivery companies, continue to suffer weak profitability even though they promise a more efficient way to mobilize and utilize the platform’s labor force. Stylized facts on the profitability of the top ten global labor platforms and a descriptive analysis of their cost structures are presented. We further argue that the modes of production and competition inherent in digital labor platforms are critical to this profitability puzzle because they determine the upper limit of surplus value extraction in production and the heavy financial burden of profit generation for labor platforms. JEL Classification: P12, E24, D40