Charting Platform Capitalism: Definitions, concepts and ideologies

Liang, Yin; Aroles, Jeremy; Brandl, Bernd

doi:10.1111/ntwe.12234

Charting Platform Capitalism: Definitions, concepts and ideologies

Liang, Yin; Aroles, Jeremy; Brandl, Bernd

Authors

Miss Yin Liang yin.liang@durham.ac.uk
Combined Role

Jeremy Aroles

Professor Bernd Brandl bernd.brandl@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Abstract

The term ‘platform capitalism’ captures a dynamic set of new work modalities that are mediated by platforms and have been brought about through advances in Information and Communication Technologies, adjustments in consumption modes and preferences, and changes in how work is conceived. Beyond work-related changes, the ascent of platform capitalism reflects wider societal, political as well as economic changes. While research on platform capitalism and its manifold manifestations abounds, there is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding its key features and characteristics. Seeking to provide conceptual clarity and to contribute to efforts of theorisation, we here analyse four main facets of platform capitalism, namely crowdsourcing, sharing economy, gig economy and platform economy. We review key definitions of each term and provide an overview of their distinctive features. This allows us to identify both similarities and differences in the framing of these four terms. We also delve into the ideologies underlying these four terms, thus providing a critique of the neophilia characterising the discourse framing platform capitalism.

Citation

Liang, Y., Aroles, J., & Brandl, B. (2022). Charting Platform Capitalism: Definitions, concepts and ideologies. New Technology, Work and Employment, 37(2), 308-327. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12234

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Feb 7, 2022
Online Publication Date	Feb 23, 2022
Publication Date	Jul 11, 2022
Deposit Date	Feb 15, 2022
Publicly Available Date	Jun 28, 2022
Journal	New Technology, Work and Employment
Print ISSN	0268-1072
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	37
Issue	2
Pages	308-327
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12234
Keywords	Platform capitalism; Crowdsourcing; Sharing economy; Gig economy; Platform economy; Ideology
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1213890

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Early View © 2022 The Authors. New Technology, Work and Employment published by Brian Towers (BRITOW) and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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