From Meituan to Uber Eats: Institutional Adaptation and Operational Divergence of Local Lifestyle Platforms in China and the United States
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From Meituan to Uber Eats: Institutional Adaptation and Operational Divergence of Local Lifestyle Platforms in China and the United States

Yifan Hu 1*
1 Northeastern University
*Corresponding author: evanhu0508@gmail.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 rise of the platform economy, local life service platforms are playing an increasingly crucial role as the infrastructure to link urban residents to localized consumption everywhere. Current studies center primarily on the platform business models and the technology trajectory of platform firms. Nevertheless, cross-national comparisons controlling for how the institutional environment conditions the operational logic of platforms remain rather underdeveloped. By applying the comparative case study research method, this paper selects Meituan in China and Uber Eats in the United States as comparative objects, conducting a systematic study of the institutional adaptation models of both in the facets of merchant collaboration, labor management, and user operation. This study documents the platform governance-oriented and market rules-dominated operational models adopted by China and the United States, respectively, and this difference is shaped by the institutional nesting of data governance, labor law systems, and regulatory logics in each jurisdiction. Uber Eats is an example of dynamic and distributed resource allocation mechanisms, while Meituan demonstrates a stronger capacity for collaborative integration. Therefore, this paper makes the case that the institutional dimension not only influences how platforms are embedded locally, but it also emerges as a crucial factor in projects involving the expansion of platforms globally.

Keywords:

Local Lifestyle Services, Platform Governance, Algorithmic Management

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Hu,Y. (2025). From Meituan to Uber Eats: Institutional Adaptation and Operational Divergence of Local Lifestyle Platforms in China and the United States. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,230,34-41.

References

[1]. Xu, J., & Zhao, W. (2024). Examining Business Models of Local Life Services Platforms in China. SSRN.

[2]. Miao, M. (2022). Platform Regulation Through Sanctions: Meituan and Ant Group Cases. Asia International Law Journal (Forthcoming).

[3]. Li, D., & Schoenherr, T. (2023). The institutionalization of sharing economy platforms in China. Journal of Operations Management, 69(5), 764-793.

[4]. Yates, L. (2024). Platform Politics: Corporate Power, Grassroots Movements and the Sharing Economy. Bristol University Press.

[5]. Zhang, Z., Du, J., & Ding, H. (2025). China's Legal and Policy Pathways Towards Regulating Algorithmic Management. Industrial Law Journal, dwaf007.

[6]. Zhang, J. (2025). Combatting the Algorithms: How Chinese Delivery Riders Survive and Thrive in the Platform Economy. University of Chicago.

[7]. Lyu, T., Geng, Q., & Chen, H. (2025). Scale Development of Decent Work Among Logistics Digital Gig Workers. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management.

[8]. Lin, O. (2023). Workers' Spontaneous Struggles in the On-Demand Economy in China. University of Glasgow.

[9]. Muldoon, J., & Sun, P. (2024). The Global Gig Economy: Regulatory Challenges Across Six Countries. Industrial Law Journal, 53(3), 481-506.

[10]. Stemler, A., Evans, J., & Himebaugh, B. (2019). The Chinese Experiment: Lessons from the Regulation of Ridesharing in China. SSRN.

[11]. Sung, H. C. (2023). Platform Governance in China: Antitrust Issues and Algorithmic Transparency. Manchester Journal of International Economic Law, 20.

[12]. Telese, R. (2023). China's Role in the Next Phase of Globalization: Data Governance and Tech Institutions. Ca' Foscari.

References

[1]. Xu, J., & Zhao, W. (2024). Examining Business Models of Local Life Services Platforms in China. SSRN.

[2]. Miao, M. (2022). Platform Regulation Through Sanctions: Meituan and Ant Group Cases. Asia International Law Journal (Forthcoming).

[3]. Li, D., & Schoenherr, T. (2023). The institutionalization of sharing economy platforms in China. Journal of Operations Management, 69(5), 764-793.

[4]. Yates, L. (2024). Platform Politics: Corporate Power, Grassroots Movements and the Sharing Economy. Bristol University Press.

[5]. Zhang, Z., Du, J., & Ding, H. (2025). China's Legal and Policy Pathways Towards Regulating Algorithmic Management. Industrial Law Journal, dwaf007.

[6]. Zhang, J. (2025). Combatting the Algorithms: How Chinese Delivery Riders Survive and Thrive in the Platform Economy. University of Chicago.

[7]. Lyu, T., Geng, Q., & Chen, H. (2025). Scale Development of Decent Work Among Logistics Digital Gig Workers. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management.

[8]. Lin, O. (2023). Workers' Spontaneous Struggles in the On-Demand Economy in China. University of Glasgow.

[9]. Muldoon, J., & Sun, P. (2024). The Global Gig Economy: Regulatory Challenges Across Six Countries. Industrial Law Journal, 53(3), 481-506.

[10]. Stemler, A., Evans, J., & Himebaugh, B. (2019). The Chinese Experiment: Lessons from the Regulation of Ridesharing in China. SSRN.

[11]. Sung, H. C. (2023). Platform Governance in China: Antitrust Issues and Algorithmic Transparency. Manchester Journal of International Economic Law, 20.

[12]. Telese, R. (2023). China's Role in the Next Phase of Globalization: Data Governance and Tech Institutions. Ca' Foscari.

Cite this article

Hu,Y. (2025). From Meituan to Uber Eats: Institutional Adaptation and Operational Divergence of Local Lifestyle Platforms in China and the United States. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,230,34-41.

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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