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Relational platform entrepreneurs: live commerce and the 818 Jiazu

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  • Lu, Isabel Fangyi
  • Wang, Lili

Abstract

This paper explores the emerging platform entrepreneurship through an observational case study of one of the most prominent Kuaishou influencers, Xin Youzhi, and his 818 jiazu. Jiazus are influencer communities on Kuaishou, a Chinese livestreaming and e-commerce platform. Examining platform entrepreneurs through a relational lens, we illustrate the organisation and operation of the 818 jiazu and its interaction with the followers, the Kuaishou platform and the Chinese state. Identifying relations of mutuality, autonomy and domination, we find that 818 kiazu’s rise and fall manifest the relationality and contingency of entrepreneurial labours in the Chinese platform economy. We argue that Kuaishou jiazu can be understood as relational entrepreneurs who need new sociotechnical skills to navigate various relationships with the platform, users and state regulations. Our study contributes to understanding the organisation and practices of livestreamers by foregrounding the entrepreneurial agency of the influencer community.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu, Isabel Fangyi & Wang, Lili, 2022. "Relational platform entrepreneurs: live commerce and the 818 Jiazu," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115155, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:115155
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chandna, Vallari & Salimath, Manjula S., 2018. "Peer-to-peer selling in online platforms: A salient business model for virtual entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 162-174.
    2. Yan Mei & Danling Mao & Yuhui Lu & Wei Chu, 2020. "Effects and mechanisms of rural E‐commerce clusters on households' entrepreneurship behavior in China," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(4), pages 1588-1610, December.
    3. Phoebe V. Moore & Simon Joyce, 2020. "Black box or hidden abode? The expansion and exposure of platform work managerialism," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(4), pages 926-948, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    China; digital entrepreneurs; digital labour; Jiazu; Kuaishou; performative labour; platform governance; relational; relational labour;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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