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Reputation systems (ratings) are deemed important in platform economy as they facilitate trust between workers and clients. But having a high reputation in one platform may discourage users to transfer to another platform. What do we know from research about the success and failure of reputation systems? And how can data portability, as an increasing number of regulatory measures address this issue, contribute to a more balanced platform economy?

With the number of internet users exploding since the 1990s and peer-to-peer transactions becoming a more widespread phenomenon, reputation systems have been one of the key innovations making the platform economy possible. By providing information on previous transactions and allowing users to punish opportunistic behavior, reputation systems facilitate trust between buyers and sellers. The most well-known example is the 5-star rating system that is most commonly used by platforms today. 

However, reputation systems are also criticized. For instance, high ratings on one platform may discourage users from moving to another platform if it is not possible to transfer your reputation, thereby increasing dependence on incumbent platforms. As most reputation systems are based on feedback from users themselves, discrimination against marginalized groups could increase as well. What do we know from research about the success and failure of reputation systems? And how can data portability, viewed from the perspectives of the worker, the receiver, the platform and institutions, contribute to a more balanced platform economy?

Presenters

This online seminar is presented by:

• Rense Corten, associate professor in the department of Sociology of Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ. He focusses on themes such as cooperation, trust and dynamics of social networks.  
• , independent researcher, founder of GigCV, lead of the gig team at the WageIndicator Foundation and parttime researcher on data portability at the Civic Interaction Design lectorate at the Amsterdam ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ of Applied Sciences.

Registration

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