Paper Type
ERF
Abstract
The rise of digital platforms has reshaped organisational dynamics, especially power relations. This paper explores the generative mechanisms behind these power shifts in platform partnerships, an area still underexplored. Focusing on telehealth and ridesharing, we have conducted seven interviews with doctors using a telehealth platform in Iran. Using activity theory and critical realism, we identified three mechanisms affecting doctors: dispute management, feedback, and covert manipulation. To enhance our findings, we plan 20 more interviews with doctors and 30 with ridesharing drivers. This will help uncover both context-specific and general mechanisms of power shifts, offering insights into platform partnerships and contributing to broader discussions on power dynamics in digital platforms.
Paper Number
1099
Recommended Citation
Afshari Mofrad, Masoud; Amrollahi, Alireza; Sadrikhah, Amir Reza; and Ghazinoory, Sepehr, "Mechanisms of Power Shift in Platform Partnership: An Activity Theory Perspective" (2025). AMCIS 2025 Proceedings. 2.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2025/sig_dspe/sig_dspe/2
Mechanisms of Power Shift in Platform Partnership: An Activity Theory Perspective
The rise of digital platforms has reshaped organisational dynamics, especially power relations. This paper explores the generative mechanisms behind these power shifts in platform partnerships, an area still underexplored. Focusing on telehealth and ridesharing, we have conducted seven interviews with doctors using a telehealth platform in Iran. Using activity theory and critical realism, we identified three mechanisms affecting doctors: dispute management, feedback, and covert manipulation. To enhance our findings, we plan 20 more interviews with doctors and 30 with ridesharing drivers. This will help uncover both context-specific and general mechanisms of power shifts, offering insights into platform partnerships and contributing to broader discussions on power dynamics in digital platforms.
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