Author(s)
Ethem Ilbiz, Yusaf H. Akbar, Andrea Tracogna
Abstract
This paper offers a fresh perspective on the sharing economy by adopting the theoretical lens of transaction cost economics (TCE) with the aim of expanding the discussion on online platforms beyond a commercial context to examine their potential for social good. Focusing on the user experience, this study investigates under what conditions online platforms designed to empower marginalised academic communities in addressing epistemic injustice attract and retain prospective users by reducing the transaction costs associated with knowledge exchange between knowers and knowledge seekers. In this regard, the paper examines whether these platforms have the potential for growth or rather remain niche platforms primarily facilitating matchmaking within a small academic community and their knowledge seekers. Drawing on survey data from users of platforms such as ‘Women Also Know Stuff’, ‘People of Colour Also Know Stuff’, and ‘LGBTQ Scholar Network’, the study explores this phenomenon through a set of TCE-related variables, including registration process, functionality, personalisation, transaction uncertainty, sense of community, social identification with other users and platform, and direct and cross-network effects.
Cite this article
Ilbiz, E., Akbar, Y. H., & Tracogna, A. (2024, May 10-11). Reducing Transaction Costs of Epistemic Recognition through Online Platforms: Empowering Marginalised Academic Communities to Challenge Epistemic Injustice. In M. Maričić, V. Jeremić & N. Zornić. (Eds.), Proceedings of the first International conference on sharing economy and contemporary business models: Theory and practice, IC-SHARE 2024, Belgrade, Serbia, (pp. 81-85). https://doi.org/10.62863/FUQR6588.