Location-based Platform Research Articles

Digital Labour Platforms in the Italian Domestic Sector: Approaching (In)Formalisation Processes from the Other Way Round

In this exploratory study, we investigate the effects of digital labour platforms (DLPs) on cleaning workers. The prevalence of informality in this sector leads us to suggest analysing workers’ experiences by combining the literature on DLPs with that on the informal economy. Through in-depth interviews with cleaners in Milan and Rome, as well as DLP representatives, the article highlights on one hand, how DLPs affect informal workers and their conditions, and, on the other hand, how workers represent their work and what meanings they associate with the terms formal and informal in the location-based platform economy. The study shows that DLPs seem to play a limited role in the formalisation of work, revealing new forms of hybridisation between formal and informal labour. The use of DLPs also results in increasingly confusing perceptions of what constitutes formal (or regular) and informal work.

Sustainable Waste Governance Framework via Web-GIS: Kadikoy Case

Waste management, one of the fundamental problems of today, is at the center of sustainability discussions. The failure to adopt a holistic and participatory approach in traditional waste management highlights the need to develop new approaches. The main purpose of this research is to present the basic components of a Web-GIS-based platform design for sustainable waste governance. The presented framework emphasizes that waste management is not a problem of local or central government and that holistic sustainable waste governance can be achieved with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. The Kadikoy district of Istanbul, a metropolitan city, was selected as the study area. Information was collected from the study area with quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. The results obtained with fieldwork and survey data show that there is a need for a location-based platform that allows relevant stakeholders to see the current waste management workflow, enter data themselves, and provide feedback. The Web-GIS-based platform proposed in this article to meet this need is an important step in ensuring sustainable waste governance. In the article, a Web-GIS-based platform has been developed to ensure the sustainable waste governance of commercial enterprises for local governments.

Associations Between Labor Control Through Digital Platforms and Workers' Mental Wellbeing: A Survey of Location-based Platform Workers in Taiwan

BackgroundPlatform work offers flexibility and autonomy to workers, but there are concerns about the impacts of excessive labor control exercised by digital platforms using algorithmic management. This study assessed the level of labor control exerted by digital platforms and explored its associations with psychosocial work conditions and workers' mental well-being. MethodsA total of 487 location-based platform workers in Taiwan, encompassing ride-hailing, delivery, and house chore services, participated in this questionnaire survey. A 5-item scale was created to assess platform-mediated labor control. Psychosocial work conditions, including demands, job control, work rewards, and mental well-being, including burnout and self-rated mental health status, were assessed using validated instruments. Cronbach's α and principal component analysis were employed to assess the validity of the labor control scale. Logistic regression analysis and path analysis were conducted to investigate the relationship between labor control and workers' mental health. ResultsExploratory factor analyses confirmed the structural validity and the internal consistency of the scale. Logistic regression models revealed that higher levels of labor control were associated with an increased risk of burnout and poorer mental health. Path analyses further indicated that higher labor control through digital platforms raised mental health risks by increasing job demands. ConclusionAlgorithmic management is associated with increased stress among platform workers as they try to meet the platform's performance metrics.

The remaking of working classes: digital labour platforms and workers’ struggles in the Global South

This themed issue explores the impact of digital labour platforms on the conditions of work and social reproduction in the Global South. The collection of articles – most of which derive from research undertaken by the Future of Work(ers) research group, led by the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand – profile case studies from Argentina, Brazil, India, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. The case studies focus on location-based platforms in food delivery, e-hailing, e-commerce and beauty and spa work. The collection of articles explores two broad and overlapping themes. The first is how platform business models are redefining the work process and the conditions of work. Here, labour process theory is particularly relevant because it allows us to identify both the points of value production and the sources of working-class power (Kenny and Webster, 2021). The second is the transformative possibilities and limitations of emerging forms of worker organisation. Here the power resources approach is especially useful because it allows us to analyse the extent to which organisations can leverage sources of power to transform the conditions of work and social reproduction. Ultimately, the contributions illustrate that the impact of digital technologies on the world of workers is neither predetermined nor linear. Rather it is shaped by struggle, the terms of which are themselves contingent.

Are You Really Your Own Boss? Flexi-Vulnerability and False Consciousness of Autonomy in the Digital Labor Culture of Riders

In the European Union, over 28 million people work through more than 500 available digital platforms, and it is estimated that by 2025, this number will reach 43 million. However, we lack up-to-date and sufficient data on employed individuals, as platforms practice a policy of non-disclosure of data. This paper focuses on the so-called location-based platforms and specifically the figure of the rider, understood as the individual who, through a commercial or labor relationship with a company, performs tasks such as the delivery of goods to end customers. By conducting 143 surveys and 15 in-depth interviews with riders, we identified a series of characteristics that allow us to analyze this archetype of contemporary work–digital relations and delve deeper into relevant questions related to this figure, which have to do with the modality linked to the performance of their activity (self-employed or salaried), the levels of job satisfaction with respect to their activity, or the strategies for work or personal conciliation. Specifically, we focus on those discourses that refer to the characteristics of flexibility and autonomy inherent to this type of work, analyzing a heterogeneity of discourses that explain, on the one hand, a situation of precariousness and, in other cases, a job opportunity and a self-employment strategy, introducing the idea of flexi-vulnerability understood as a concept that captures the dual nature of flexibility and vulnerability experienced by individuals who work as self-employed in the so-called “gig” economy.

О ВЛИЯНИИ ЦИФРОВЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ НА ПРАВОВОЕ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЕ ТРУДА И ЗАНЯТОСТИ УЯЗВИМЫХ ГРУПП РАБОТНИКОВ

Introduction: the article is devoted to the current and future impact of digital technologies, thanks to which remote work and location-based platform employment have emerged, and also the impact of artificial intelligence technologies and neurotechnologies on the labor relations that involve vulnerable groups of workers, including legal relations in the field of employment. Purpose: to describe approaches to the understanding of vulnerability in economics, sociology, and legal science, to trace the impact of digi-tal technologies on labor and employment of vulnerable groups, and to identify issues and risks. Methods:the methodological basis of the research consists of universal, general scientific methods as well as some special methods (system-structural, formal-legal, comparative legal methods). Results: vulnerability is correlated with poverty, and both monetary and non-monetary approaches to the phenomenon of po-verty are described; vulnerability is considered in the context of the concept of social exclusion, which fo-cuses on the breakdown of social ties. From a legal perspective, the approach applied in the study is based on the assumption that vulnerability of an individual or social group is associated with a higher (compared to others) risk of becoming a victim of human rights violations, including being limited in the ability to exercise the rights and freedoms guaranteed to everyone. The perceptions of vulnerability de-velop primarily in international law. At the national level, vulnerability of certain social groups is inter-branch in nature, which is manifested in exemptions and preferences established for them by both pri-vate and public branches of law. In Russian labor law, the term ‘vulnerable groups’ is not used, although, in actual fact, it forms the basis for differentiating the legal regulation of labor of certain categories of workers. The differentiation of the legal status of vulnerable groups is associated with the manifestation of the compensatory function of the welfare state. Conclusions: the use of digital technologies does not automatically bring advantages and benefits to vulnerable groups, but in the absence of adequate regu-lation can greatly increase social inequality and discrimination. It is advisable to develop the legal regula-tion of remote work performed by vulnerable groups of workers toward internal differentiation, taking into account their specific needs. Rights and guarantees, at least in the field of occupational safety and health, should be progressively extended to those employed on location-based platforms. It is necessary to include location-based workers in social insurance systems; provide them with an expanded range of rights and guarantees in the world of work. The risks of artificial intelligence, neurotechnologies, and workplace automation being introduced are currently associated with the deepening and scaling of dis-crimination, as well as with an imperceptible replacement of labor relations by precarious employment, which may affect vulnerable groups of workers the most. The paper proposes directions for improving legal regulation in this area. An assumption is made that the mass introduction of neurotechnology in the future will change the understanding of the nature of vulnerability and its criteria.

Employment relationship and platform work: global trends and case of Kazakhstan

The global response to the phenomenon of platform work has various forms and approaches. The general trend is that numerous court cases are succeeded by legislative initiatives. It is obviously that platform workers no more cannot be considered as a pure entrepreneur or self-employed persons. Due to the control of ‘hidden algorithms’ they fall under the power of the gig company more than ordinary independent contractors. The case of Kazakhstan confirms this approach and proceeds from the special regime of the platform labour within the scope of employment regulation. However, we should seek a balance between social and economic function of labour law. Traditional construction of employment relationship cannot be entirely applied to the platform workers. Nevertheless, it is crucial to ensure decent labour conditions for them. The solution of the problem is enforcement of presumption of employment based on flexible regulatory policy to this form of employment. For example, Kazakhstan’s response to the platform work challenges is based on distinction between location-based and web-based platform work depending on the degree of employer’s power. The hidden algorithmic control of location-based platforms is a core element in a set of proofs recognizing employment relationship between gig companies and their workers. At the same time web-based platforms present more autonomy of their workers who can serve as independent contractors or freelancers. The author concludes that the international community shall elaborate well-balanced approach to regulation of employment relationship based on digital platforms.

EFFECTS OF GIG ECONOMY ON EMPLOYMENT

The gig economy, which is predicted to be among the business models of the future and which is the subject of economic and political debate in the media, is quite new in the literature. The gig economy, which is an independent way of working, is growing rapidly in the changing business world. It is thought that the gig economy, which extends from digital-based platforms to location-based platforms, from local markets to international markets, will directly affect employment with its adoption by employers and employees. In this study, the effects of the gig economy on employment are discussed by considering both positive and negative aspects. In order for countries to hold power economically, politically and technologically, employers and employees in the gig economy need to make decisions that will benefit the economy and employment and find remedies for the negative aspects of the model. While the gig economy continues to grow rapidly, it is understood that different problems will increase from different perspectives such as employment, human resources and legal issues and the discussions will continue for a long time. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of the gig economy on employment and to reveal how it will affect employment as a new business model and to contribute to the literature. In addition, it is aimed to guide governments, employers and employees by revealing what problems the gig economy may cause and what benefits it can provide in the future, with a structured conceptual-theoretical review.

Seduction as control: Gamification at Foursquare

Post-disciplinary accounting research has drawn attention to the potential for technologies such as big data analytics and social media to enact new forms of surveillance and control, thereby transforming work, identity and producing anxiety. This paper explores these concerns in the context of the growing popularity of the use of game design elements in non-game settings (gamification). By drawing on Baudrillard’s (1990) theorisation of seduction, this paper argues that gamification, as seduction, is a mode of post-disciplinary control. We develop our analysis through an illustrative case of Foursquare, a gamified location-based platform organisation. We show how Foursquare exercises control; seducing its users by creating a communal, gamified milieu of symbolic exchange which is distinct from but connected to the commodity exchanges that underpin its business model. Gamification seduces users to play, travel and ‘arrange’ their bodies in particular temporal and spatial settings in exchange for the virtual rewards, feelings of pleasure, and sense of community gamification affects. In playing, users have fun, become part of an online community, give of their bodily work and associated biodata, and so they drive commodity exchange and the production of economic value for Foursquare and its partners.

Questioning the algorithmic transparency of location-based platforms

In the platform society algorithms are perceived as ‘black boxes’ (Pasquale, 2015) and users have only a vague understanding of the criteria they adopt to select information. Location-based platforms algorithms influence the visibility of different points of interest (POI), thus shaping the user interaction with venues and places. 
 
 The paper adapts the Diakopoulos and Koliska model (2017) and presents a new framework for analyzing the algorithmic transparency of location-based platforms. Research questions are the following: RQ1) How location-based platforms communicate algorithmic transparency?; RQ2) Which are the most relevant dimensions they take into consideration (data, model, inference, interface)?; RQ3) How platforms communicate transparency toward different targets (i.e. consumers and suppliers)? Following Rader, Cotter and Cho (2018) we expect location-based platforms are less transparent about the data they manage and about their model they use and more transparent about the inferences. Moreover, we expect location-based platforms are more transparent toward suppliers rather than consumers.
 
 The paper analyzes how 3 very popular location-based platforms (Google Maps, Tripadvisor and Instagram) disclose algorithmic transparency as it emerges from the analysis of ‘extant’ online data officially released (policies, guidelines, and tutorials) and from the analysis of the platforms’ mobile interface.
 The analysis revealed platforms are less transparent about the data they manage and model they use, and more transparent, only toward suppliers, about the inferences they propose. Moreover, location-based platforms are more transparent toward suppliers rather than consumers; indeed, commercial interests favours the algorithmic transparency and visibility of location-based content.

Platform Work and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Platform business models emerged with the growth of the Internet in the 1990s and are conceptualized as two- or multi-sided markets, as they facilitate exchange between service providers, clients (business) and workers. This article focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on digital labour platforms, such as freelance online web-based platforms and location-based platforms (transportation and delivery platforms), which have grown exponentially over the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed immediately some of the vulnerabilities that the workers in the platform economy were facing as they were declared as part of the ‘emergency services’, and this note explores their conditions during the pandemic.

AugmentedWorld: Facilitating the creation of location-based questions

This paper presents AugmentedWorld, an open and adaptive location-based platform, designed to facilitate the creation of multimedia-rich questions while connecting scientific topics to relevant locations, real-world applications, and learners' daily life. Prior to its implementation in schools, we conducted a study among 98 prospective science teachers to examine the quality of location-based questions and participants' epistemic views. Data were collected through encoding of questions' quality, participants' grades, and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicated medium results for the quality of location-based questions, with multimedia design as the weakest feature. The participants' early experience in exam-writing and gender were found as significant predictors of the quality of questions. In addition, the data indicated a significant relationship between the questions' quality and participants' technological and pedagogical knowledge. Four competencies were identified with reference to the educational importance of location-based questions: contextualization, creativity, critical thinking, and information and communication technology (ICT) literacy. The current study underlines the importance of location-based questions as a form of learning and alternative assessment.

Smart cities in the United States and worldwide: A rich arena for MIS studies

ABSTRACTSmart cities provide growing intelligence and interactivity for their citizenry through contemporary information and communication technologies (ICTs). The citizen has enhanced knowledge and interactivity with the city and gains open access to previously sequestered information. This article surveys the expanding prevalence and a wide variety of smart city features, such as dashboards of analytics on progress toward city goals; interactive, real-time provision of vehicle routing, safety, and parking information for citizens; sharing economy efficiencies; and spatial understanding of the urban geography of renewable energy. Smart solutions are discussed for the exemplary cities of Seattle, Los Angeles, and Amsterdam, and benefits pointed out. This emerging area offers a rich panoply for MIS researchers to conduct myriad types of studies utilizing the field’s quantitative and qualitative toolkits, its theories and paradigms of management, organizations, behavior, and strategies, as well as by applying knowledge of decision-making, contemporary sharing economy, and location-based platforms.

M-DENGUE: UTILIZING CROWDSOURCING AND TELECONSULTATION FOR LOCATION-BASED DENGUE MONITORING AND REPORTING SYSTEM

Dengue fever has become a major public health concern in recent years. The number of deaths caused by dengue is increasing over the years thus putting it in an alarming state. Public should be informed about the latest dengue cases around them. Most of them have to access various source of information to get this updates. M-Dengue, a web-based system has been proposed as a location-based platform for monitoring and reporting dengue cases, which allows information sharing in real time. It also includes dashboard that represent the data and act as a tool for analyzing, visualizing, classifying and geo-referencing dengue reports. The dashboard will helps the health staff to monitor this disease and make quick decisions. The system is proposed to benefit the community and to improve their health as well as the health of those around them. It is also aimed to engage the public as participants in the public health process as they could issue reports and share information regarding this threatening disease. The system is developed for the health staff and general public. Users are expected to be able to monitor dengue disease and gain the latest information regarding dengue cases in the country.

MapWeb: A location-based converged communications platform

Location information is a valuable tool in personal communication systems, especially considering the wide variety of communication mechanisms that are available and affordable today. Users can easily access different types of networks (e.g., the public switched telephone network (PSTN), cellular networks and Internet Protocol (IP) networks), and they can choose to communicate via voice, data or video. An interesting issue is how we can blend location information, different communication services, and other advanced mechanisms such as policy control and presence information to build a visually oriented, easily personalized communication platform. We present MapWeb, a novel location-based platform that allows a user, via a map interface, to locate in her vicinity buddies and points of interest such as restaurants, hotels, banks, and gas stations, and to communicate with these entities via the communication mechanism of her choice. The system is built on the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture and is fully extensible at both the server and the client sides. It has many potential applications in settings such as security, emergency response, salvage, traffic management and Olympic-scale activity organization.