نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی دکتری کارآفرینی، گروه فناوری، دانشکده کارآفرینی دانشگاه تهران، ایران
2 استادیار و عضو هیات علمی دانشکده کارآفرینی، گروه کسب وکار جدید، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
This study aims to identify and explain the mechanisms of "hidden monopoly" in Iranian digital platforms. A phenomenon that emerges not through overt dominance but through gradual, multilayered, and interaction-driven actions. Using a qualitative approach and conducting 18 semi-structured interviews with experts in the on-demand delivery digital platform industry, data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the hidden monopoly results from the cyclical interplay of three levels of platform actions: (1) at the level where the platform acts as an active agent, shaping user choices through market architecture and design; (2) at the level where the platform, as a hidden controller, directs the daily interactions of users and partners; and (3) at the level where, as a passive leveraging, it exploits regulatory gaps or institutional voids to consolidate its position. These levels not only operate independently but also interact dynamically to form a cyclical structure of invisible power in which platforms undermine competition without overtly violating antitrust regulations. The innovation of this research lies in the analytical conceptualization of the hidden monopoly phenomenon from the perspective of platform positional agency, articulated through three interrelated roles: active, controlling, and leveraging. Theoretically, the paper proposes an integrated and multilevel model for analyzing platform power, and practically, it provides a basis for rethinking digital economy policymaking in Iran.
کلیدواژهها [English]