Nordic models in the platform economy

In a new article, Anna Ilsøe and Fredrik Söderqvist argue that a Nordic model is developing in the platform economy.

The entry of gig-platforms to labor markets worldwide has caused significant frictions with national institutions and regulators, including trade unions. In this article, we compare the interactions between taxi and food delivery platforms with the industrial relations (IR) systems of Denmark and Sweden, where we observe isolated instances of unions striking collective agreements with platforms. We assess and compare platform strategies and interactions with IR system agents, using an RIT-framework (rulemaker-intermediary-ruletaker) which considers how rulemaking capacity is allocated within the Nordic IR systems. We detect both IR system evasion and integration in Denmark and Sweden, with significant variation in causes and mechanisms. We find that IR system integration can be explained by public backlash, pressure from IR system insiders, and gaining first-mover advantages. Our findings shed light on integrative mechanisms of the Nordic IR systems allowing us to identify and discuss future challenges posed by the platform economy.

Read full article ‘Will there be a Nordic model in the platform economy? Evasive and integrative platform strategies in Denmark and Sweden' by Anna Ilsøe and Fredrik Söderqvist, published in Regulation & Governance, April 2022.