The platform economy is growing exponentially while creating expectations for its potential to contribute to a sustainable development. However, research aimed at showing the potential contribution of each platform’s business model to sustainable development is needed. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are driving the policy agenda, but it remains unclear how far they encourage a sustainable platform economy. First, this article aims to study how each different type of platform contributes to sustainable development. Second, it analyses if and how the factors that contribute to the sustainable design of platforms are considered in SDGs. The paper departs from a framework of sustainable democratic qualities of the platform economy that considers governance, economic sustainability, technological and data policies, social responsibility, and external impact dimensions. The study is based on an empirical analysis of 60 platforms. The results show that a sustainable design of a platform economy promotes sustainable development. Furthermore, the contributions of the sustainable dimensions of a platform to SDGs are mainly connected to the impact and responsibility and the economic model, but governance and data dimensions are not present in the SDGs. This suggests that SDGs should improve their digital perspective to intertwine better with the sustainable platforms.

On-demand delivery platforms appropriate ‘freedom’ and ‘flexibility’ discourses with claims such as ‘be your own boss’ and ‘work as much as you want to’. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Deliveroo updated its courier platform application with a ‘free login system’ in Barcelona whereby platform couriers could connect to the platform whenever, wherever, and as often as they wanted to. In this paper, we ask why the introduction of a ‘free login’ system generated even more precarious forms of work, by comparing workforce management systems both before and during the COVID-19 period. We argue that the reason it becomes problematic is rooted in Deliveroo's business model, which is characterised by hiring on-demand, using a piece-rate payment and exercising hard workforce control through algorithmic management.

El fenómeno de la economía de plataforma se articula desde modelos con perspectivas distintas que pueden incluir tanto empresas extractivistas como la evolución de nuevos modelos de colaboración a través de una plataforma digital. Mayoritariamente, la literatura de este ámbito se ha centrado en estudiar casos de plataformas extractivistas dejando en segundo plano las alternativas. Este artículo analiza el origen, las fortalezas y los principales retos que caracterizan las plataformas vinculadas al cooperativismo de plataforma y/o a los comunes digitales. Para ello, se ha llevado a cabo un análisis empírico de veintidós plataformas que operan en cuatro sectores claves en la emergencia de la economía de plataforma: el servicio de taxi, el alojamiento de corta estancia, la distribución de alimentos y los servicios domésticos y de cuidado a domicilio. Los resultados de la investigación señalan que el cooperativismo de plataforma se caracteriza por favorecer relaciones horizontales, por desarrollar una infraestructura comunitaria que respeta la privacidad y facilita la participación de los usuarios en la gobernanza de los datos y, finalmente, por atender algunas de las externalidades negativas causadas por la plataforma. Al mismo tiempo, se muestran varios retos como la apertura de datos, la escala de impacto, la capacidad de réplica del proyecto, la sostenibilidad económica, la inclusión e igualdad de género y la cooperación entre agentes.

The emergence of platform work has provided new opportunities for job creation, yet it also poses numerous challenges, thereby placing the topic at the centre of the policy debate. At the same time, discussion of the platform economy usually fails to acknowledge the coexistence of different platform models and their diverse socioeconomic impact with regard to the SDGs and the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR). This paper aims to contribute to the debate on regulating platform work by testing the ‘Charter of digital workers’ rights’ arising from the Platform Labour in Urban Spaces (PLUS) European project, in three platform cooperatives: Fairbnb.coop, SMart, and Katuma. The empirical analysis and testing are based on qualitative surveys, co-creation sessions and interviews. The analysis could prove useful for further EU policy, national transposition of EU legislation and potential legislation worldwide. The results show the importance of providing a clear-cut definition of platform work, as well as considering different platform models. More specifically, the paper reflects on the definition and fair scheduling of working time (total amount of working hours, scheduling and disconnection), fair and decent remuneration, the right to information on contractual conditions and the right to transparency in algorithmic systems, and training rights.

Plataformas como Glovo, Deliveroo y UberEats dedicadas a la entrega a domicilio se han implantado en ciudades de todo el mundo. Su expansión ha ido acompañada de un impacto sobre los derechos de los trabajadores y trabajadoras, en lo que se considera capitalismo de plataforma. Aun así, existen alternativas democráticas vinculadas a la economía social y solidaria y a los comunes digitales. Este artículo analiza las calidades democráticas de cuatro plataformas alternativas de entrega a domicilio que tienen sede en Europa (CoopCycle, CILFé, Crow y Mensakas). Por un lado, los resultados muestran que estas plataformas tienen en consideración los derechos de sus trabajadores y trabajadoras y, por lo tanto, son una alternativa al capitalismo de plataforma. Por otro lado, se demuestra que estas plataformas tienen retos importantes, especialmente en relación con su sostenibilidad económica y escalabilidad.