Communities Versus Platforms: The Paradox in the Body of the Collaborative Economy

François-Xavier De Vaujany*, Aurélie Leclercq-Vandelannoitte, Robin Holt

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

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    Abstract

    Communities and platforms pervade all aspects of the collaborative economy. Yet, they exist in apparent tension. The collaborative economy is grounded in communities. These are typically characterized by isonomic relations, in which the singularity of members finds its distinctiveness in being woven into mutual, collective endeavor. Yet, the collaborative economy also entails digital platforms organized through largely heteronomic relations in which employees and users are configured as isolate, useful, interchangeable, and flexible “units.” As such, communities and platforms are traditionally framed as separate from, and in contradiction to, one another. There is, it seems a paradox at the heart of the collaborative economy. Yet, inspired by the work of Merleau-Ponty, we argue the expression, embodiment, and eventfulness characterizing the collaborative economy show communities and platforms being constituted by one another. We conclude that the paradox, far from being a condition of opposition and dialectical tension requiring managed resolution, is a generative organizational process.
    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    TidsskriftJournal of Management Inquiry
    Vol/bind29
    Udgave nummer4
    Sider (fra-til)450-467
    Antal sider18
    ISSN1056-4926
    DOI
    StatusUdgivet - okt. 2020

    Bibliografisk note

    Published online: 28. February 2019

    Emneord

    • Community
    • Platform
    • Platform capitalism
    • Paradox
    • Chiasm
    • Organization
    • Phenomenology
    • Technology
    • Digital
    • Collaborative economy

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