Search Results (74)

This article explores the implications of digital labor intermediation platforms in paid domestic work (PDW) in Chile, a sector historically marked by informality and vulnerability. Drawing on a qualitative study conducted with members of the Federation of Domestic Workers’ Unions of Chile (FESINTRACAP), we analyze the narratives of workers who engage with digital platforms to access employment. We propose that these platforms, while expanding job search opportunities, reproduce and exacerbate precarious working conditions by weakening employment relationships, increasing surveillance through rating systems, and reinforcing structural inequalities such as gender, class, and migratory status. Using a grounded theory approach, we identify six thematic categories: (1) Access and Technological Transition, (2) Recruitment and Labor Matching Modalities, (3) Procedures and Technological Requirements, (4) Use of Ratings and Reputation, (5) Perceptions of Autonomy vs. Dependency, and (6) Lack of Regulation and Legal Guarantees. Our findings suggest that digital intermediation reconfigures labor relations under a neoliberal logic of individual responsibility while failing to provide institutional protections. We argue that the digitalization of labor intermediation in PDW deepens the sector’s historical patterns of invisibility and exclusion, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory frameworks that address the specificities of this type of employment. Full article

In order to alleviate the constraints of global warming and sustainable development, digitalization has made significant contributions to promoting agricultural carbon reduction through resources, technology, and platforms. Under this situation, China insists on developing agricultural scale management. However, what impact will scale management in agricultural digital emission reduction have on mechanisms and pathways? Based on three rounds of follow-up surveys conducted by the Digital Countryside Research Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University in Jiangsu Province from 2022 to 2024, in this study a total of 258 valid questionnaires on the rice and wheat industry were collected. Methods such as member checking and audit trail were employed to ensure data reliability and validity. Using econometric approaches including Tobit, mediation, and moderation models, this study quantified the Scale Management Level (SML), examined the mechanism pathways of digital emission reduction in a scaled environment, further demonstrated the impact of scale management on digital emission reduction, and verified the mediating and moderating effects of internal and external scale management. We found that: (1) In scale and carbon reduction, the SBM-DEA model calculates that the scale of agricultural land in Jiangsu showed an “inverted S” trend with SML and an “inverted W” trend with the overall agricultural green production efficiency (AGPE), and the highest agricultural green production efficiency is 0.814 in the moderate scale range of 20–36.667 hm². (2) In digitalization and carbon reduction, the Tobit regression model results indicate that Network Platform Empowerment (NPE) significantly promotes carbon reduction (p < 1%), but its squared terms exhibit an inverted U-shaped relationship with agricultural green production efficiency (p < 1%), and SML is significant at the 5% level. From a local regression perspective, the strength of SML’s impact on the three core variables is: NPE > DRE > DTE. (3) Adding scale in agricultural digital emission reduction, the intermediary mechanism results showed that the significant intensity (p < 5%) of the mediating role of Agricultural Mechanization Level (AML) is NPE > DTE > DRE, and that of the Employment of Labor (EOL) is DRE > NPE > DTE. (4) Adding scale in agricultural digital emission reduction, the regulatory effect results showed that the Organized Management Level (OML) and Social Service System (SSS) significantly positively regulate the inhibitory effect of DRE and DTE on AGPE. Finally, we suggest controlling the scale of land management reasonably and developing moderate agricultural scale management according to local conditions, enhancing the digital literacy and agricultural machinery training of scale entities while encouraging the improvement of organizational level and social service innovation, and reasonably reducing labor and mechanization inputs in order to standardize the digital emission reduction effect of agriculture under the background of scale. Full article

This article develops the concept of digital genealogy as a critical lens for understanding contemporary subjectivity in environments structured by platforms and algorithms. Building on Benjamin’s aura, Bauman’s liquidity, and Han’s burnout, the analysis traces how digital selfhood is produced through practices of performative presence, memory curation, and visibility. Empirical studies of selfies, ephemeral stories, and Bitmojis illustrate how authenticity is negotiated through fragments that are at once intimate and replicable, while van Dijck’s work shows how digital memory shifts from archiving the past to continuously fabricating the self. The paradox that emerges—identities are performed as fleeting yet archived permanently by infrastructures—reveals the coexistence of ephemerality and machinic inscription. Read through Benjamin’s concept of aura, reinterpreted by contemporary authors such as Mirzoeff, Groys, and Hansen, this transformation situates singularity not only in artworks but in the self, which must be ceaselessly enacted and recomposed in algorithmic environments. The framework also connects to critiques of precarity and exploitation: Marcuse, Fuchs, and Varoufakis highlight how self-expression doubles as unpaid digital labor within platform capitalism. Digital genealogy thus provides both a theoretical and normative contribution: it discloses the paradox of visibility and exhaustion as the price of belonging, and it points toward future empirical research—such as ethnographies of adolescents and creators—that can test how individuals negotiate the tension between platform imperatives and the desire for rooted self-narratives. Full article

Delivery platforms in urban logistics connect providers with customers through distribution riders, who are usually distinguished by low incomes and limited social rights. This paper aims to compare and analyze the freelance and employment models for riders in different European countries in terms of social sustainability, i.e., work motivation and labor rights. To reach this goal, two activities were performed. On the one hand, qualitative interviews with German and Italian riders were carried out. On the other hand, a dynamic metaheuristic algorithm was developed and implemented to simulate an employment model with a central provider that manages order requests in real-time. The qualitative interviews indicate that riders’ motivations differ between freelance riders and employed riders: freelance riders do feel more controlled. Using a quantitative algorithm, this manuscript shows that when an efficient centralized order–rider assignment strategy is applied, a socially sustainable and simultaneously profitable employment model for food delivery businesses is possible. The results have the potential to legitimize adequate rights and salaries for riders while allowing digital platforms to operate profitably. Such win–win situations could support the implementation of platform structures across different logistics sectors and overcome conflicts regarding working rights in such contexts. Full article

The rapid growth of the gig economy and digital platforms is challenging traditional gender roles, particularly in developing countries where structural inequalities continue to shape labor and household dynamics. Despite growing global interest in gender equity and digital inclusion, limited research has examined how gig work, digital access, and women’s income contributions interact to influence household gender dynamics within culturally conservative contexts. This study aimed to investigate the multidimensional impacts of women’s participation in gig work on time use redistribution, intra-household decision making, gender ideology, and role reversal within households in Pakistan. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from a representative sample of married couples engaged in the gig economy across urban and peri-urban areas of Pakistan. A quantitative analysis was conducted employing a combination of an analysis of variance, ordinal logistic regression, hierarchical multiple regression, and structural equation modeling to evaluate the direct and indirect relationships between constructs. The findings revealed that women’s gig work participation significantly predicted enhanced digital access, greater income contributions, and increased intra-household decision-making power. These, in turn, contributed to a measurable shift in gender ideology toward equality norms and a partial reversal of traditional gender roles, particularly in household labor division. The study concludes that the intersection of economic participation and digital empowerment serves as a catalyst for progressive gender restructuring within households. Policy implications include the need for gender-responsive labor policies, investment in digital infrastructure, and targeted interventions to support empowering women in non-traditional work roles. Full article

The growing prevalence of digital labor platforms has fundamentally transformed business models by creating interconnected value systems that redefine how work is organized, delivered, and monetized in today’s digital economy. This study examines platform-based business model innovation through the lens of value co-creation processes, analyzing user-generated content from digital work platforms including Reddit, FlexJobs, Toptal, and Deel. Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling on 342 semantically filtered reviews from platform workers, we identified six key themes characterizing stakeholder experiences: User Experience and Platform Evaluation (23.77%), Financial Concerns and Time Management (18.49%), Platform Satisfaction and Recommendation System (16.60%), Paid Services and Investment Strategies (15.09%), Job Search Processes and Remote Work Alternatives (13.96%), and Overall Platform Performance and Account Management (12.08%). These findings reveal how digital platforms create value through complex interactions between technology infrastructure, governance mechanisms, and stakeholder experiences within interconnected ecosystems. The dominance of user experience concerns over purely economic considerations challenges traditional labor economics frameworks and highlights the critical role of platform design in worker satisfaction. Our analysis demonstrates that successful plsatform business models depend on balancing technological capabilities with human-centered value propositions, requiring innovative approaches to ecosystem orchestration, stakeholder engagement, and value distribution. The study contributes to understanding how digital business models can leverage interconnected value systems to drive sustainable innovation, offering strategic insights for platform design, ecosystem governance, and business model optimization in the digital era. Full article

Background/Objectives: Auricular epitheses play a vital role in restoring facial symmetry and patient confidence following congenital or acquired defects. Traditional wax-based fabrication is labor-intensive and lacks reproducibility. This study proposes and evaluates a simplified, digitally driven workflow for auricular prosthesis manufacturing, integrating virtual patient creation, mirrored ear design, and three-part mold fabrication using two design platforms—CATIA V5R21 (industrial CAD) and Blender (open-source graphics software). Key outcomes include mold reusability, patient-centered evaluation, and workflow feasibility. Methods: A 28-year-old female patient with right-sided microtia was selected. A light-based 3D facial scan was performed, and the intact contralateral ear was mirrored and adapted virtually to the defect site. Molds were designed in both CATIA and Blender using a standardized three-parallelepiped approach and printed using FDM technology (Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus). Five silicone epitheses were carefully fabricated with each mold. Surface trueness was evaluated with Geomagic Control X, while subjective assessments were conducted by an independent prosthetic team and the patient using Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Results: Both design workflows resulted in clinically usable prostheses. No statistically significant difference in RMS deviation was observed (p = 0.53), although CATIA-derived epitheses achieved higher subjective scores (mean 9.22/10) compared to Blender (mean 7.67/10). The preferred prosthesis (CATIA #4) was selected for final pigmentation and delivery to the patient. All molds were reused five times without any structural damage or significant signs of wear. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that both CATIA and Blender can support an effective, patient-centered digital workflow for auricular prosthesis fabrication. The methodology enables reproducibility, mold reusability, and improved clinical accessibility of custom prosthetics. Full article

Substance use during pregnancy is an increasingly important yet under-recognized threat to maternal and child health. This narrative review synthesizes the current evidence available on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical management, and policy landscape of prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, opioids, benzodiazepines, cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamines, and other synthetic drugs. All major psychoactive substances readily cross the placenta and can remain detectable in breast milk, leading to a shared cascade of obstetric complications (hypertensive disorders, placental abruption, pre-term labor), fetal consequences (growth restriction, structural malformations), and neonatal morbidities such as neonatal abstinence syndrome and sudden infant death. Mechanistically, trans-placental diffusion, oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and placental vascular dysfunction converge to disrupt critical neuro- and cardiovascular developmental windows. Early identification hinges on the combined use of validated screening questionnaires (4 P’s Plus, CRAFFT, T-ACE, AUDIT-C, TWEAK) and matrix-specific biomarkers (PEth, EtG, FAEE, CDT), while effective treatment requires integrated obstetric, addiction, and mental health services. Medication for opioid use disorders, particularly buprenorphine, alone or with naloxone, confers superior neonatal outcomes compared to methadone and underscores the value of harm-reducing non-punitive care models. Public-health strategies, such as Mexico’s “first 1 000 days” framework, wrap-around clinics, and home-visiting programs, demonstrate the potential of multisectoral interventions, but are hampered by structural inequities and punitive legislation that deter care-seeking. Research gaps persist in polysubstance exposure, culturally tailored therapies, and long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories. Multigenerational, omics-enabled cohorts, and digital longitudinal-care platforms represent promising avenues for closing these gaps and informing truly preventive perinatal health policies. Full article

This study examines the drivers and heterogeneous impacts of platformization—a form of digital transformation involving systems such as supply chain management, product data management, and integrated information technology solutions—on firm performance in a developing economy. Drawing on the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities View, we analyze data from 5542 Vietnamese firms across four sectors using an endogenous switching regression model, complemented by quantile regression. Platformization decisions are shaped by firm resources and managerial expectations, with strong sectoral variation. In manufacturing and construction, larger assets and a lower leverage promote adoption, while, in wholesale and retail, workforce size and perceived competitiveness are key drivers. Platformization enhances the returns to assets and cash flow—especially among high-performing firms—while reducing the negative effects of high debt and geographic disadvantages. The findings offer three practical implications: (1) prioritize digital adoption in asset-heavy sectors when financial conditions are stable; (2) invest in coordination- and customer-focused platforms in labor-intensive sectors; and (3) use digital tools to convert liquidity into performance gains. These insights support inclusive digitalization policies and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 9 by linking digital transformation to resilience, adaptability, and innovation-led growth in transitional economies. Full article

This theoretical essay aims to analyze some of the socio-economic innovations introduced by Platform Capitalism Specifically, it focuses on two main aspects: first, the digital platform as a radical organizational innovation. Digital platforms represent a structural novelty in the market economy, signaling a new organization of production and labor. Second, the essay examines the role of platforms in directly generating value through the concept of “network value”. To this end, it explores the function of “business intelligence” as a strategic and competitive tool. Finally, the paper discusses the key issues associated with platform capitalism, which could threaten its social sustainability and contribute to economic and financial instability. These issues include the increasing commodification of everyday activities, the devaluation of paid labor in favor of free production driven by platform users (the so-called prosumers), and the emergence of proprietary and financial monopolies. Hence, digital platforms do not inherently ensure comprehensive social and environmental sustainability unless supported by targeted economic policy interventions. Conclusively, it is emphasized that defining robust social welfare frameworks—which account for emerging value creation processes—is imperative. Simultaneously, policymakers must incentivize the proliferation of cooperative platforms capable of fostering experimental circular economy models aligned with ecological sustainability. Full article

This entry explores the multifaceted intersections of gender and digital technologies, offering a comprehensive analysis of how structural inequalities are reproduced, contested, and transformed in digital contexts. It is structured into six interrelated sections that collectively address key dimensions of gendered digital contexts. It begins by addressing the gender digital divide, particularly in the Global South, emphasizing disparities in access, literacy, and sociocultural constraints. The second section examines gendered labor in the tech industry, highlighting persistent inequalities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, employment, and platform-based work. The third part focuses on gender representation in digital spaces, revealing how algorithmic and platform design perpetuate biases. The fourth section discusses gender bias in AI and disinformation, underscoring the systemic nature of digital inequalities. This is followed by an analysis of online gender-based violence, particularly its impact on marginalized communities and participation in digital life. The final section considers the potentials and limitations of digital activism in advancing gender justice. These sections collectively argue for an intersectional, inclusive, and justice-oriented approach to technology policy and design, calling for coordinated global efforts to create equitable digital futures. Full article

This study investigates how topic-specific expression by women delivery riders on digital platforms predicts their community engagement, emphasizing the mediating role of self-disclosure and the moderating influence of cognitive and emotional language features. Using unsupervised topic modeling (Top2Vec, Topical Vectors via Embeddings and Clustering) and psycholinguistic analysis (LIWC, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count), the paper extracted eleven thematic clusters and quantified self-disclosure intensity, cognitive complexity, and emotional polarity. A moderated mediation model was constructed to estimate the indirect and conditional effects of topic probability on engagement behaviors (likes, comments, and views) via self-disclosure. The results reveal that self-disclosure significantly mediates the influence of topical content on engagement, with emotional negativity amplifying and cognitive complexity selectively enhancing this pathway. Indirect effects differ across topics, highlighting the heterogeneous behavioral salience of expressive themes. The findings support a statistically grounded, semantically interpretable framework for predicting user behavior in high-dimensional text environments. This approach offers practical implications for optimizing algorithmic content ranking and fostering equitable visibility for marginalized digital labor groups. Full article

Highway infrastructure faces growing exposure to natural hazards, necessitating more proactive and data-driven risk mitigation strategies. This study explores the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Audits (DRRAs) into the lifecycle of highway infrastructure projects as a structured method for enhancing disaster resilience and operational safety. Using case analyses and scenario-based labor estimation models across design and construction phases, this research quantifies the resource requirements and effectiveness of DRRA application. The results show a statistically significant reduction in disaster occurrence rates in projects where a DRRA was implemented, despite slightly higher labor inputs. These findings highlight the value of adopting phased DRRA implementation as a national standard, with flexibility across different project types and scales. This study concludes that institutionalizing DRRAs, particularly when supported by digital platforms and decision-support tools, can serve as a critical component in transforming traditional infrastructure management into a more resilient and adaptive system. Full article

This study aimed to explore how social media usage influenced both parent and adolescent mental health and social identity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic through the theoretical foundational lens of social comparison theory. In-depth interviews with 24 mothers of adolescent children (ages 10–19) were conducted to address the research questions. Qualitative thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed eight emerging themes: (1) learning and entertainment, (2) maternal fears related to content binging and cyberbullying, (3) finding connection and comfort through social media during the pandemic, (4) ongoing digital care work as lasting maternal labor, (5) iterative dialogue: platform restrictions and content curation boundaries, (6) upward and downward social comparison, (7) fear of missing out (FoMO), and (8) third-person perception (TPP). The findings show that mothers perceive social media usage as either beneficial or harmful among adolescents (their children); upward and downward social comparison via social media exhibits more dynamic mechanisms. Moreover, this study enhances our theoretical understanding by linking social media usage to social identity, social comparison, and mental health during a global health crisis. Full article

The gig economy, driven by flexible and platform-based work, is reshaping labor markets and employment norms. Understanding public perceptions of this shift is critical for promoting social good and informing equitable policy. This study employs big data analytics and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling to analyze 15,259 tweets collected from the X platform. Seven key themes emerged from the data, including labor precarity, flexibility, algorithmic control, platform accountability, gender disparities, and worker rights. While some users emphasized autonomy and new income opportunities, most expressed concerns about job insecurity, lack of protections, and digital exploitation. These findings offer real-time insights into how gig work is discussed and contested in public discourse. The study highlights how social media analytics can inform labor policy, guide platform regulation, and support advocacy efforts aimed at building a fairer and more resilient gig economy. Full article