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Sustainable Platform Economy: Connections with the Sustainable Development Goals

Author

Listed:
  • Mayo Fuster Morell

    (Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA)

  • Ricard Espelt

    (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute, Open University of Catalonia, 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Melissa Renau Cano

    (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute, Open University of Catalonia, 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Mayo Fuster Morell & Ricard Espelt & Melissa Renau Cano, 2020. "Sustainable Platform Economy: Connections with the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-28, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7640-:d:414348
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Mayo Fuster Morell & Ricard Espelt & Enric Senabre Hidalgo, 2021. "Data for Sustainable Platform Economy: Connections between Platform Models and Sustainable Development Goals," Data, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-11, January.
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