The Dr. Theo and Friedl Schöller Future of Work Research Lab recently welcomed Associate Professor Damien Joseph from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), who also serves as a Senior Research Associate of the lab, for a research visit. During his stay, he engaged in discussions with the lab’s researchers on ongoing projects related to artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and the future of work.
As part of his visit, Damien delivered a research seminar entitled “Coordinating Commission Circumvention: Social Distance and Disintermediation in Algorithmically Governed Ride-Hailing.”
The presentation introduced a recent study examining commission circumvention in ride-hailing platforms. Focusing on cash-dominated markets, the research investigates why drivers and passengers sometimes coordinate to bypass platform commissions by completing rides off-platform. Using proprietary transaction-level data covering more than 228,000 rides, the study shows that compliance with algorithmically governed platforms is shaped not only by technological controls but also by social interactions between individuals.
Following the presentation, researchers from the Future of Work Research Lab engaged in an in-depth discussion with Damien on algorithmic management, platform work, artificial intelligence, and the broader implications of digital technologies for organizations and society. The exchange provided valuable insights and generated new ideas for future collaborative research.
We sincerely thank Damien Joseph for his visit, his inspiring presentation, and the stimulating discussions. We look forward to continuing the successful collaboration between Nanyang Technological University and the Dr. Theo and Friedl Schöller Future of Work Research Lab.