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Reframing platform power

Author

Listed:
  • van Dijck, José
  • Nieborg, David
  • Poell, Thomas

Abstract

This article addresses the problem of platform power by probing current regulatory frameworks' basic assumptions about how tech firms operate in digital ecosystems. Platform power is generally assessed in terms of economic markets in which individual corporate actors harness technological innovations to compete fairly, thereby maximising consumer welfare. We propose three paradigmatic shifts in the conceptualisation of platform power. First, we suggest to expand the notion of consumer welfare to citizen wellbeing, hence addressing a broader scope of platform services' beneficiaries. Second, we recommend considering platform companies as part of an integrated platform ecosystem, acknowledging its interrelational, dynamic structure. And third, we shift attention from markets as level playing fields towards societal platform infrastructures where hierarchies and dependencies are built into their architecture. Reframing platform power may be a necessary condition for updating and integrating current regulatory regimes and policy proposals.

Suggested Citation

  • van Dijck, José & Nieborg, David & Poell, Thomas, 2019. "Reframing platform power," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 8(2), pages 1-18.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:iprjir:214081
    DOI: 10.14763/2019.2.1414
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Gorwa, Robert & Lechowski, Grzegorz & Schneiß, Daniel, 2024. "Platform lobbying: Policy influence strategies and the EU's Digital Services Act," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 13(2), pages 1-26.
    2. Eujong Kim & Yeran Kim, 2024. "“Finally, Me Time!”: Korean Middle-Aged Women’s Platform Practices," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 13.
    3. Alvarez León, Luis F. & Aoyama, Yuko, 2022. "Industry emergence and market capture: The rise of autonomous vehicles," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    4. Gorwa, Robert, 2024. "The Politics of Platform Regulation: How Governments Shape Online Content Moderation," EconStor Books, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, number 299876, September.
    5. Jia, Lianrui & Ruan, Lotus, 2020. "Going global: Comparing Chinese mobile applications' data and user privacy governance at home and abroad," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 9(3), pages 1-22.
    6. Khan, Zaheer & Zeng, Jing & Knight, Gary & Rajwani, Tazeeb & Pattnaik, Chinmay, 2023. "Non-market strategies and disruptive innovation in the platform economy," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).
    7. Sergio Gorjón, 2021. "Bigtechs and financial services: some challenges, benefits and regulatory responses," Economic Bulletin, Banco de España, issue 4/2021.
    8. Broughton Micova, Sally & Jacques, Sabine, 2020. "Platform power in the video advertising ecosystem," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 9(4), pages 1-28.
    9. Wikström, Gustav & Bledow, Nona & Matinmikko-Blue, Marja & Breuer, Henning & Costa, Cristina & Darzanos, George & Gavras, Anastasius & Hossfeld, Tobias & Mesogiti, Ioanna & Petersen, Katrina & Poramba, 2024. "Key value indicators: A framework for values-driven next-generation ICT solutions," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(6).
    10. Filatova-Bilous, Nataliia, 2021. "Once again platform liability: On the edge of the "Uber" and "Airbnb" cases," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 10(2), pages 1-27.

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