Where Has the Bargaining Power Gone in the Platform Economy
Research Article
Open Access
CC BY

Where Has the Bargaining Power Gone in the Platform Economy

Yuzhe Mao 1*
1 Hohai University
*Corresponding author: 597307354@qq.com
Published on 22 October 2025
Journal Cover
AEMPS Vol.230
ISSN (Print): 2754-1177
ISSN (Online): 2754-1169
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-453-3
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-454-0
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Abstract

With the rapid development of the platform economy, the power imbalance between platforms and participants has become increasingly prominent. The bargaining power of a vast number of workers and merchants has been significantly weakened, a phenomenon that threatens market fairness and social stability. This paper focuses on the mechanisms behind the erosion of bargaining power and its rightful attribution within the platform economy, concentrating on groups such as platform workers (e.g., delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers) and merchants. Utilizing a literature review to analyze relevant theories, combined with case studies of typical platform enterprises and questionnaire surveys collecting data from workers and merchants, this research employs data primarily sourced from publicly available platform rule texts, industry reports, and field survey questionnaires targeting workers and merchants. It aims to reveal the pathways through which bargaining power is diminished and its impacts, while exploring solutions for its reasonable restoration.

Keywords:

Platform Economy, Bargaining Power, Fairness and Justice, Algorithmic Governance, Collective Negotiation

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Mao,Y. (2025). Where Has the Bargaining Power Gone in the Platform Economy. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,230,50-55.

References

[1]. OECD. (2024). Global platform economy report. [Publisher information if available].

[2]. Rochet, J. C., & Tirole, J. (2003). Platform competition: Two-sided markets. Journal of the European Economic Association, 1(4), 990 - 1029.

[3]. Williamson, O. E. (1985). The economic institutions of capitalism. Free Press.

[4]. Chen, [Author's First Initial. Author's Last Name]. (2023). [Title of the work if available]. [Publisher or source information if available].

[5]. Meituan Research Institute. (2023). [Title of the report if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[6]. Uber. (2024). Uber financial report. [Publisher information if available].

[7]. Rochet, J. C., & Tirole, J. (2003). Platform competition: Two-sided markets. Journal of the European Economic Association, 1(4), 990 - 1029.

[8]. Renwu Magazine. (2023). [Title of the investigation article if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[9]. Beijing Traffic Management Bureau. (2023). [Title of the data report if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[10]. ACFTU. (2024). [Title of the survey report if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[11]. Ministry of Finance. (2024). Report on administrative expenses related to platform economy mediation committees. [Publisher information if available].

[12]. Chinese Academy of Social Science. (2024). [Title of the survey report if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[13]. European Union. (n.d.). Digital Services Act (DSA). Retrieved from [URL if available].

[14]. State of California. (n.d.). Assembly Bill 5 (AB5). Retrieved from [URL if available].

References

[1]. OECD. (2024). Global platform economy report. [Publisher information if available].

[2]. Rochet, J. C., & Tirole, J. (2003). Platform competition: Two-sided markets. Journal of the European Economic Association, 1(4), 990 - 1029.

[3]. Williamson, O. E. (1985). The economic institutions of capitalism. Free Press.

[4]. Chen, [Author's First Initial. Author's Last Name]. (2023). [Title of the work if available]. [Publisher or source information if available].

[5]. Meituan Research Institute. (2023). [Title of the report if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[6]. Uber. (2024). Uber financial report. [Publisher information if available].

[7]. Rochet, J. C., & Tirole, J. (2003). Platform competition: Two-sided markets. Journal of the European Economic Association, 1(4), 990 - 1029.

[8]. Renwu Magazine. (2023). [Title of the investigation article if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[9]. Beijing Traffic Management Bureau. (2023). [Title of the data report if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[10]. ACFTU. (2024). [Title of the survey report if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[11]. Ministry of Finance. (2024). Report on administrative expenses related to platform economy mediation committees. [Publisher information if available].

[12]. Chinese Academy of Social Science. (2024). [Title of the survey report if available]. [Publisher information if available].

[13]. European Union. (n.d.). Digital Services Act (DSA). Retrieved from [URL if available].

[14]. State of California. (n.d.). Assembly Bill 5 (AB5). Retrieved from [URL if available].

Cite this article

Mao,Y. (2025). Where Has the Bargaining Power Gone in the Platform Economy. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,230,50-55.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICFTBA 2025 Symposium: Strategic Human Capital Management in the Era of AI

ISBN: 978-1-80590-453-3(Print) / 978-1-80590-454-0(Online)
Editor: Lukáš Vartiak, An Nguyen
Conference website: https://www.icftba.org/London.html
Conference date: 4 November 2025
Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences
Volume number: Vol.230
ISSN: 2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)

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