Big tech, knowledge predation and the implications for development

Gathering round Big Tech: how the market for acquisitions reinforces regional inequalities in the US

“…As others have shown (see e.g. Rikap and Lundvall 2020), acquisition of smaller companies is, for Big Tech, a major source of new technologies, ideas and talent. The ability of Big Tech to exploit the monopoly power conferred by positions in control of critical digital platforms has given these companies extraordinary financial resources; continuing acquisition of start-ups and, with them, new features and capabilities, both makes use of these financial resources, and extends and cements Big Tech's control of its markets.…”

“…Owners of an electric power grid, once it is in place, have little to fear from competitors; for a digital platform, maintaining market position, and monetizing that position, demand ongoing innovation, refinement of features, addition of services (Hindman 2018). The major platforms have considerable internal research capabilities but, compared with the industrial giants of the previous century -General Electric, IBM, and such -they source more innovation through acquisition (Lazonick 2009;Rikap and Lundvall 2020). And, because of the financial resources which their market power confers, the major platforms are always in a position to acquire.…”

Current Situation and Future Prospects for Plastic Waste in Maysan Governorate: Effects and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Despite the constant challenges, in the shadow of the epidemic, it has become online purchases and ecommerce defect reactionary solutions [35]. Despite the high operating costs, hiring new employees and additional extra costs on PPE safety measures, Amazon ecommerce services reported a 21% increase in the year sales in the final quarter of 2020 [36]. An increase in online food purchases and daily necessities has been reported by 84.3% and 46.2%, respectively, in Iraq, relative to the past due to the COVID-19 pandemic which leads to accretion of plastic waste, has thin films, foam and multilayer plastic with low recyclability and durability.…”

“…Despite the recognition of the problem of plastic waste and even if it run over, the absolute existence, and abundance of plastic, takes decades to self-decompose, like many other solid wastes, which pose great human and environmental damage to ecosystems, and despite this, the use of plastic is increasing dramatically [35]. RCA of PW accumulations effects on the environment and humans is summarized at Figure 6 [36,38], quantitative "Fish-Bone" analysis, these wastes cause many problems such as distortion of the urban landscape, soil pollution, depletion of its wealth, pollution and destruction of the aquatic environment, and the spread of disease transmission factors resulting from water pollution, in addition to that these wastes are flood aid factors because they reduce the penetration of water into the soil.…”

Is a European Recovery Possible Without High-Tech Public Corporations?

“…But fresh national champions would have insuffi cient strength to compete with the incumbent American and Chinese corporations, particularly because they may receive political protection from the government of their country only. Fast-growing European companies and start-ups, especially in the ICT and related sectors, could easily be acquired by the biggest companies in terms of market capitalisation (market value) and liquid assets (see Rikap and Lundvall, 2020). American Big Tech have already acquired promising European start-ups, a strategy that is widely used to obtain quick and easy access to new technologies and retain market dominance (Marks, 2017).…”