Digital platforms and development: a survey of the literature

Abstract

The digital economy has led to significant socio-economic transformations in all aspects of our society and livelihoods. While there is a growing literature on the effect of digital platforms on development, none consolidates the available evidence from a development perspective. In this systematic literature review, we grouped the available literature into three main themes and critically synthesize and analyse the role of digital technology and digital platforms on the development of the modern economy. To enable the inclusion of a wide array of published papers, we allowed for relevant quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies globally. This approach allows us to reflect on the role of digital platforms for development more broadly as well as discuss opportunities for future research.

A community‐driven social knowledge management framework for bridging rural–urban knowledge divide using social technology

“…For instance, how do digital platforms transform the daily lives of individuals by creating, adding, and capturing value? How do these platforms contribute to empowerment and inclusivity, or conversely, how might they hinder progress in society as a whole (Fu et al, 2021)?…”

Socio‐technical issues in the platform‐mediated gig economy: A systematic literature review: An Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (ARIST) paper

“…3. Reviews of narrowly focused aspects of the gig economy, such as Fu et al (2021), who focus primarily on the effects of digital platforms on economic development, individual empowerment, and inclusion, particularly in developing economies. Hati et al (2021) review 10 years of research on Airbnb.…”

“…Le Brocq et al (2022) use what they describe as a “moral economy lens” to review research that examines the impacts of gig economy firm ownership on ethical and unethical HRM practices directed towards gig workers. In contrast, Anwar et al (2021) state that the goal of their review is to demonstrate that “the traditional role of HR is no longer viable” (p. 2). Reviews of narrowly focused aspects of the gig economy, such as Fu et al (2021), who focus primarily on the effects of digital platforms on economic development, individual empowerment, and inclusion, particularly in developing economies. Hati et al (2021) review 10 years of research on Airbnb.…”

Work engagement of online car-hailing drivers: the effects of platforms' algorithmic management

“…, 2017; Harris, 2017). These gig economy platforms have penetrated many areas of our lives, such as Airbnb in the accommodation sector, Deliveroo in the food delivery sector and Uber in the transportation sector (Fu et al. , 2021).…”

“…The rise of the gig economy is mainly powered by digital platforms that connect service providers with consumers and enable flexible, on-demand work arrangements (Greenwood et al, 2017;Harris, 2017). These gig economy platforms have penetrated many areas of our lives, such as Airbnb in the accommodation sector, Deliveroo in the food delivery sector and Uber in the transportation sector (Fu et al, 2021). Among these, online car-hailing is a representative industry in the gig economy.…”