Platform Companies Research Articles

Research on Tax Compliance Incentive Effects of Platform Companies from the Perspective of Incomplete Contract – An Empirical Study Based on China

Research on Tax Compliance Incentive Effects of Platform Companies from the Perspective of Incomplete Contract – An Empirical Study Based on China

Global Financialization and Local Labour Acquisition in China's Platform Economy

Abstract The emergence of digital platforms has been viewed in scholarly narratives as a “technological fix” of global capital, to use Beverly Silver's classic term. That is, capital continues to devise innovative strategies to restructure the labour process and avoid employer legal liabilities. This study reveals an important but somewhat overlooked “financial fix” aspect of the platform economy. Through a case study of a Chinese food delivery platform, the author shows that global speculative capital and its cash-burning games have generated a form of market-value fetishism in this sector. In response, platform companies have devised innovative labour acquisition strategies to expand their market share that have profoundly shaped the work and employment dynamics within the sector. In particular, the platform companies engaged in a subsidy rivalry with their competitors in order to attract crowdsourcing/gig workers for their regular services and at the same time established a highly structured subcontracting system to secure a more reliable and committed workforce to target the relatively high-end consumer market. The author argues that the interaction between global financialization and local capital's strategic choices accounts for the peculiar structure and employment dynamics in the Chinese platform economy.

Infrastructural capitalism in China: Alibaba, its corporate culture and three infrastructural mechanisms

Contrasting existing scholarship in ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics’, this article builds on the theorisation of infrastructural capitalism as an emerging global-capitalist project entangled with both China’s state-socialist ideology and the latest nationalistic revitalisation agenda, serving both political and commercial goals, yet also rendering discontent and resistance in daily business and employment practices. Through participant observation across 13 Alibaba departments or subsidiaries, semi-structured interviews with workers in Alibaba and other Chinese platform companies, and the analysis of corporate documentation and media reports, our ethnographic study highlights the ‘physical and digital (phygital)’ nature of infrastructure, and theorises how discursive, symbolic, and sensorial techniques are adopted to direct and sustain infrastructural capitalism in daily organisational setting through three unique mechanisms: public-private partnerships, corporate prosumption networks (CPN) and imagineered global competition. This article’s key contributions are threefold: to dissect the intertwined discursive, symbolic and affective mechanisms through which the ‘invisible’ infrastructures of capitalism are made ‘visible’ and ‘sensible’; unpack the variegated impacts and inherent dilemmas of infrastructural capitalism; and reimagine the possibility of individual resistance and systemic transgression.

Subjetivação e riscos psicossociais da uberização do trabalho nas dinâmicas territoriais

Abstract In view of the economic, political, and technological changes in the world of work within the urban territory, nowadays we are facing new informalities that increase the precariousness of work relationships and conditions in a global level. This essay aims to reflect critically on new subjectivations and on psychosocial risks related to the uberization of work, analyzing their impacts on territorial dynamics. We highlight platform companies that offer taxi and delivery services, and we provide a panorama that shifts from the international to the national scenario. Uberized workers face unique episodes of violence committed by platform companies and urban violence, which intensify psychosocial risks and harm workers' dignity, health, and quality of life. The practices of platform companies, as well as their management and contradictions, reveal a deprivation of the right to the city and the capture of workers' subjectivity.

Characterization of the key distinguishing features of a digital platform as a business model

The purpose of the study is to identify the most characteristic features of the business model of the digital platform and further compare them with the empirical experience gained in the analysis of the Yandex.Market company. The objectives of the study include determining the main characteristics of the digital platform as a business model, analyzing Yandex.Market, its core business, competitive advantages, and environment, as well as identifying the correspondence between the company's business model and previously established key features of the digital platform and analyzing the advantages that participants receive from interacting with the platform. The object of the study is the main factors of change and further business development under the influence of digital transformation. The subject of the study is the key features of the digital platform's business model in the Russian market, using the example of Yandex.Market. To achieve the goals of the research, theoretical methods such as literature analysis, studying interviews with business experts, synthesizing new knowledge based on them, conducting modeling, and empirical methods such as the method of expert assessments, experiment and observation of the company's activities. The importance of using digital technologies are now recognized by all participants in both the business and scientific community. This contributes to the emergence of a large number of studies devoted to this topic. So this work is aimed at identifying those features that are inherent in one of the most effective business models of our time, namely the digital platform. Considering the experience of Yandex.Market makes the work especially relevant for Russia. The scientific novelty of the work consists in identifying unique features inherent only in the business model of a digital platform using the example of one of the Russian platform companies. The work also examines in detail the experience of Yandex.Market and the key advantages that make the platform company one of the most successful in the Russian market.

Compreendendo a economia brasileira de plataforma: tendências e desafios regulatórios

Abstract The proliferation of digital platforms has transformed economic landscapes, orchestrating connections among diverse agents and fostering innovation. Yet, the regulatory oversight remains a concern, prompting the need for comprehensive data on the platform economy. This is the first study that provides aggregate data on Brazil's digital platform economy. Our research aimed to address two critical issues: Are Brazilian companies aligned with the global platformization trend, and what distinctive attributes characterize them? Identifying 556 platform companies in the country, the study confirms Brazil's active participation in the global platform economy. However, these companies, primarily young and SMEs, exhibit regional concentration and reliance on foreign investments. The study outlines the need for nuanced regulatory frameworks considering company size, market share, and user base. In conclusion, the research sheds light on Brazil's participation in the global platform economy, emphasizing its unique attributes and offering insights crucial for policymakers and future investigations.

Exploration of Data Asset Valuation for Internet Platform Companies Based on the DEA-BCC Model

The valuation and pricing of data assets is not only a key factor in the national strategic development but also of extreme importance for corporate operations. This article proposes to explore the valuation and pricing of data assets from the perspective of intangible assets based on the theory that “data assets are a component of intangible assets.” Secondly, it focuses on the internet platform companies that rely on massive user data. Considering that a company’s value is influenced by various asset values (including the value of fixed assets, intangible assets, current assets, etc.), this article constructs an input-output indicator system based on corporate assets, and describes the value of data assets from three aspects: data quality, data application, and data risk. Ultimately, the total value of a company’s data assets is obtained through the proportion of various data asset indicators in the company’s total market value.

Plataformas digitais e fluxos urbanos: dispersão e controle do trabalho precário

Abstract The recent spread of digital platforms has produced new dynamics in the relationship between work and the city. The aim of this article is to analyze urban flows of app-based delivery workers in the São Paulo metropolis to explore empirically the conditions under which this work is inscribed in the city. We argue that the dispersion of thousands of workers throughout the metropolis, supported by an algorithmic management, can only be carried out through an incisive control of time, territory, and of the work itself, as well as through the workers’ intense vulnerability. Using data obtained by means of ethnographic incursions, interviews, and by the development of cartographic material, we seek to discuss the dynamics of (re)production of central-peripheral inequalities along with work that is spatialized under the centralized management of platform companies.

IT 플랫폼 기업의 ESG 경영이 소비자의 구매의도에 미치는 영향

As the global pandemic situation continues and abnormal climate conditions continue, ESG has received more attention, and the introduction of ESG management by IT platform companies has become active. Therefore, the ESG characteristics of IT platform companies will affect corporate image and consumer trust, and influence consumers' purchase intentions. This paper focused on the impact of ESG management of IT platform companies on consumer purchase intention. Therefore, based on previous research, this study classifies the characteristics of each ESG area into environmental characteristics, social characteristics, and governance characteristics, and presents two parameters, corporate image and consumer trust, to determine their impact on purchase intention. A corresponding research model was constructed. Samples were collected by means of questionnaires and empirical analysis was conducted using SmartPLS 4.0 and IBM SPSS 23.0 to verify the hypotheses. The following conclusion are drawn. First, ESG management activities, environmental, social, and dominant structural characteristics all have a positive impact on corporate image. H1 was adopted. Second, environmental characteristics do not affect consumer trust. thus, H2-1 was rejected. H2 was partially adopted. Third, corporate image has a positive impact on consumer trust. H4 was accepted.. Corporate image has a positive impact on purchase intention. H4 was accepted. Consumer trust has a positive impact on purchase intention, so H5 was adopted.

온라인 플랫폼의 보험상품 비교·추천 서비스에 대한 연구

The online insurance product comparison and recommendation service is a new sales method that changes from the existing face-to-face sales method of insurance agencies to an online service. In addition, large online platform companies such as Naver Pay, Kakao Pay, and Toss are also trying to enter new businesses. The online platformʼs entry into the insurance industry has advantages such as innovation in the insurance market due to increased competition, expansion of consumer accessibility and choice, and customer satisfaction through provision of customized services. On the other hand, there are disadvantages such as heated competition between platform companies and insurance companies, commission issues, financial alienation issues, and monopoly by a few dominant platforms. The main purpose of financial authorities introducing this service is to increase consumer convenience, so the service should be operated and regulated in a way that ensures maximum consumer interest and protection. In the case of the EU and UK, it is clarified that acts such as comparing insurance products and providing information using media such as the Internet correspond to “insurance sales” through “insurance Distribution Directive,” and non-insurance companies are required to register as insurance brokers to sell insurance. In addition, we regularly evaluate the impact of the spread of insurance price comparison sites on the insurance industry and continuously announce system improvement plans to correct problems occurring in the recruitment market. It is necessary for Korean financial authorities to identify problems with price comparison websites occurring in the UK and preemptively prepare guidelines or clear regulatory standards for compliance and prohibitions of comparative service providers. Lastly, it is necessary to carefully consider allowing Big Tech to enter the insurance industry after monitoring cases such as those in the UK and establishing regulations to offset risks to some extent.

여성의 온라인상 범죄 두려움에 영향을 미치는 요인에 관한 연구

Fear of online crime among women leads to limitations in their online activities,
 raising concerns about supporting women's free and safe engagement online. To
 achieve this, it’s crucial to thoroughly comprehend the factors contributing to the
 fear of online crime among women. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the
 factors influencing women’s fear of online crime.
 Aligned with this objective, drawing upon vulnerability theory, broken windows
 theory, and crime victimization models, this study seeks to explore the factors
 affecting women’s fear of online crime. First, vulnerability theory suggests that
 perceptions of personal vulnerability, such as gender and education, influence
 women’s fear of online crime. Second, the broken windows theory indicates that
 perceptions of disorderliness impact the fear of crime, especially as disorder
 perceptions extend to online spaces. Hence, this study examines whether perceptions
 of disorderliness in online spaces affect women’s fear of crime. Lastly, the crime
 victimization model suggests that both direct and routine online harassment
 experiences influence fear of crime. Thus, this research aims to explore whether
 routine online harassment, besides direct crime victimization, affects women’s fear
 of online crime.
 To fulfill these research objectives, this study analyzes the survey results from
 the ‘Survey on Online Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence, and Misogyny’ conducted
 among 600 women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. The findings revealed that as
 women perceive online hate issues as severe and experience more instances of
 online hate expressions, their fear of online crime tends to increase.
 Consequently, to enable women to engage freely and safely online, management
 and supervision regarding expressions of online hate directed at women are deemed
 necessary. In several countries, regulations penalize authors posting hate content
 and hold platform companies responsible for monitoring hate speech posts. Such
 policies indicate the need for regulatory measures against hate expressions in South Korea as well.

SOCIAL MEDIA GOVERNANCE VIA AN “ANEMIC” POLICY REGIME? HOW BOUNDARY SPANNING, COMPETING ISSUE DEFINITIONS, LACK OF COHESION, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAGMENTATION IMPEDE REGULATORY REFORM

Across the globe, lawmakers have enacted a range of reforms targeting the operation of large digital platforms. Within the United States, however, the push to regulate platform companies—specifically, social media—has faltered. Neither standard interest group politics, nor partisan deadlock, nor the clash of liberal versus conservative ideologies adequately account for this situation. Drawing upon historical sources, an examination of political-ideational foundations, and an empirical analysis of recent Congressional hearings, this paper argues that an “anemic” policy regime has emerged for governance of the social media sector in the United States over the past two decades. Key attributes of this regime—its boundary-spanning nature, competing issue definitions, lack of policy cohesion, and administrative fragmentation—combine to impede the capability for problem-solving on the topic of regulatory reform.

PLATFORM PR – THE PUBLIC MODERATION OF PLATFORM VALUES THROUGH TIKTOK FOR GOOD

TikTok wants to “inspire creativity” and “spark joy,” Meta aims to “bring the world closer together,” and YouTube aspires to “give everyone a voice and show them to the world.” Platforms claim that they want to do $2 . However, they regularly get international attention for being $2 instead. Social media data scandals are a prominent point of research. Yet initiatives to counterbalance these backlashes, such as YouTube’s Black Voices Fund or TikTok for Good are rarely investigated. Although platform initiatives' content is often not on the top of your For You Page (FYP), such social initiatives can tell much about what values a platform aims to promote. Examining the values promoted through social initiatives of platform companies provides a way to understand what these companies try to center as important or worthwhile. This project investigates the promotion of platform values through “TikTok for Good,” based on an inductive and thematic analysis of TikTok for Good videos (n=180). With this study, I aim to explore how platform values can enhance our understanding of the construction of what a platform counts as $2 , what is worth being visible, and in turn, what is not.

Application of QGA-BP Neural Network in Debt Risk Assessment of Government Platforms

How to correctly understand the existence of local government debt, study its risk classification and impact, give full play to the “dual nature” of debt with a full-caliber indicator system, and avoid debt risks to the greatest extent. That is the research direction of this article. In order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of risk assessment and effectively reduce the debt risk of government platform companies, a risk assessment method based on optimized back-propagation (BP) neural network is proposed. First, the method uses quantum genetic algorithm (quantum genetic algorithm, QGA) to adjust and determine the initial weight and threshold of BP neural network and realize the optimization of BP neural network model parameter setting. Then, the QGA-BP debt risk assessment of government platforms is verified that it performs well in the debt risk prediction of government platform companies, and its prediction accuracy and prediction speed are improved.

Understanding the paradox of high job quality evaluations among platform workers

This article examines why food delivery platform workers evaluate their job quality as high despite known drawbacks of this type of employment. Using qualitative data obtained from 20 semi-structured interviews conducted with couriers in Slovenia, the study employs a job quality model consisting of four distinct components (psychological well-being, social satisfaction, economic stability, and health and safety) as a conceptual framework used to determine which elements contribute most to the general job quality evaluation. Findings show that couriers often acknowledge the financial challenges and potential health and safety risks associated with their occupation but are willing to overlook some of these drawbacks due to how highly they value the autonomy, freedom and favourable work-life balance platforms offer. This article argues that platform companies, characterised as permissive entities which still hold a significant amount of power over the labour process, take advantage of the workers’ desire for autonomy and the large worker turnover to continue precarious employment practices. This is additionally fuelled by poor management practices and interpersonal relationships in traditional employment, which often push workers into platform work with no human supervisor, where they can “be their own boss”.

Rebooting Amsterdam for the age of Big Tech: Platform capitalism, reintermediation, and financial-center change

The platformization of finance and the financial inroads made by tech firms large and small raises questions about the extent to which financial centers and their incumbent inhabitants retain their positions as key intermediaries in financial(ized) intermediation. Focusing on cloud adoption and digital payments in post-2008 Amsterdam, we study how and to what extent financial platformization entails the ‘rebooting’ of the Amsterdam financial center, by investigating (i) the changing composition and spatial structure of its inhabitants; (ii) the platformization of incumbent financial institutions and the rise of new intermediaries, and (iii) deepening interdependencies between financial institutions and Big Tech. We find that platform companies have come to inhabit both the city center and the Zuidas financial district at the expense of incumbent finance and other advanced producer services (APS). Along with the growing footprint of resident platform companies, typically relying on Big Tech cloud services, we identify growing interdependencies between finance and tech, as illustrated by the adoption of Big Tech cloud services among financial institutions old and new. To illuminate patterns of competition and collaboration between incumbent finance, Fintech and Big Tech, we foreground incumbent bank ING and Fintech Adyen, a payments services provider (PSP), and analyze their relations with tech giant Amazon. In the payments domain, we see new intermediaries like Adyen assume functions at the expense of incumbent APS intermediaries, including banks. In sum, we conclude that the rise of platform capitalism is progressively giving way to financial reintermediation and financial-center change, with tech companies forming an increasingly dominant sector within a platformizing para-financial APS complex, and with Big Tech assuming a growing yet uneven infrastructural role.

Hiding behind the platform: the myth of flexibility for gig workers in Indonesia

ABSTRACT Mainstream arguments hold that the digital gig economy has been a boon for countries with high levels of unemployment, and some have even deemed it the future of work. Online platform companies handling transportation, courier and food delivery services – such as Gojek, Grab and Maxim – have similarly built narratives that the drivers who become their partners will enjoy flexible working conditions. Using a structural analysis of flexible work mechanisms in the digital gig economy, this article explores the asymmetrical power of gig workers and online platform companies. Taking a post-positivist approach, the data in this research were collected through interviews with 290 platform drivers. The results show that the structural situation, wherein extensive reserves of labour exist and workers’ power is weak, has created a significant power asymmetry between gig workers and platform companies. The impact of this asymmetry of power makes the flexibility promised to gig workers a myth and actually increases precarity for workers.

Between coping and resistance: Migrant networks and alternative forms of collectivism

The literature on migrant workers generally indicates limited worker collectivism. Based on a comparative study of two Danish platform companies, however, this article shows how digital migrant networks are a crucial social infrastructure in precarious working environments. Using a novel conceptual framework that differentiates between collective strategies of coping and resistance, we show that collective resistance can spring from migrant networks. This foregrounds an understanding of how collectivism underpinned by strong migrant networks can wax and wane, which broadens our understanding of collectivism as a dynamic practice. The study’s findings underscore the importance of political networks as a foundation for strategies of resistance, the value of network embeddedness, and the effects of particular migrant and employment characteristics on collective strategies.

Realizing Justice for Conventional Media in Indonesia through Publisher Rights

Digital platforms are currently posing a threat to conventional media's ability to remain sustainable. According to remarks made by President of the Republic of Indonesia Ir. H. Joko Widodo on February 11, 2023, during his working visit to Medan City in celebration of National Press Day, digital platforms account for 60% of media advertising spending in Indonesia. Regulations are therefore required to safeguard Indonesia's conventional media sector. The Press Council has taken the lead in proposing a Draft Presidential Regulation on the publisher's rights, or the responsibilities of digital platform companies in supporting quality journalism. the current draft law regarding publisher rights law in Indonesia and comparing it to the Canadian and Australian experience in the introduction of similar regulation.

Digital Platform and Company Performance: A Review of How Digital Platforms Can Improve Company Performance

Digital platforms play an increasingly important role in the digital age, and their impact on enterprises participating in the economic market is noteworthy. Whether business leaders can fully utilize digital platforms to gain development advantages often affects the future direction of the company. Given that, this study explores the impact of digital platforms on company performance, focusing on the ways in which digital platforms affect corporate performance. Moreover, Google is used as an example to analyze how digital platform companies make profits. By reviewing the research of previous scholars, this study summarizes three specific ways in which digital platforms work: digital innovation, generating users' aggregation effect, and taking a mediating role in digital transformation capabilities. Besides, the improvement of enterprise performance is specifically reflected in the increase in company revenue, the attraction of more users, and the upgrading of business models and strategies. Google primarily earns profits by receiving advertising fees paid by advertisers.