Local policy and regulation of services and infrastructures struggle to cope with new technologies that change the way people take decisions about basic needs linked to mobility, communication, accommodation, leisure, food, and rental. Thanks to apps for smartphones, the framework for the demand/supply has dramatically changed. The articles explore the peculiarities of the so-called sharing economy in order to stimulate some reflection upon how a sound regulation can  improve competition in the interest of consumers. The outcomes of this analysis are intended to give a contribution to the regulatory debate and to leak into teaching initiatives of the Turin School, like the International Summer School on Regulation of Local Public Services.

The Rider always rings twice. Dark clouds in sight for the food delivery (02.04.2021)
Franco Becchis
(Original article in Italian on LaVoce.info)
Franco Becchis examines the dynamics that shape the activity of digital platforms in the food delivery sector, highlighting a series of critical issues related to microeconomic features of their business model, financial performance and workers' legal classification.

Uber and Airbnb: the decisions of the European Courtof Justice on digital platforms (09.01.2020)
Franco Becchis
(Original article in Italian on LaVoce.info)
The European Court of Justice had to make a decision about several lawsuits launched by national actors against digital platforms. Thus, the European judges identified two main requirements needed to classify digital platforms as information society services, filling the gap left by regulators.

Regulating the Platform Economy: Problems, Challenges, Tools
Franco Becchis, Monica Postiglione and Stefano Valerio
in "Network Industries Quarterly", Vol. 21, issue 3, 2019 (September), pp. 12-16
Platform-based organisations are assuming increasing importance in the provision of both old and new services. This paper shows how platforms are giving rise to a series of regulatory challenges, with a focus on their legal definition, labour-related issues in the digital sphere and the role of data between privacy protection and competition.​

Mini-Ubers are growing up. Also in the household chores business (09.05.2017)
Franco Becchis
(Original article in Italian on LaVoce.info)
Digital platforms are gaining ground in the business of household chores and errands and in the market of caregiving services.  They have absolute power on matching demand and supply and on setting work hours and wages. Ad hoc regulation is necessary.​

The capitalism of the means of connection (07.10.2016)
Franco Becchis
(Original article in Italian on LaVoce.info)
The growth of digital platforms poses new challenges to regulatory authorities. The EU is taking the first steps, launching some guidelines on accessibility, consumer protection and transparency. And also Italy is getting ready to discuss a draft law on this topic. The competition on-line.
 

Hotel California: Airbnb has already won the challenge (20.05.2016)
Franco Becchis
(Original article in Italian on LaVoce.info)
Airbnb, a web platform with a dedicated smartphone app to match demand and supply of bedrooms and houses for rent, breaks into the worldwide hôtellerie with consequences on prices, quality and control. Going against this trend, as taxi drivers against Uber, is an old fashioned and overly cautious fighting strategy. The only answer is to go along with the disruption, setting up a good regulatory framework.

Why Blablacar breaks up the game (09.12.2015)
Franco Becchis
(Original article in Italian on LaVoce.info)
In Spain Blablacar won the first round against the association of public bus companies, also because the service does not generate profits. Hence technology innovation and the power of individual needs are clearly stronger than regulation. Consumers and new potential disputes.
 

Uber and his brothers (13.02.2015)
Franco Becchis and Fulvia Nada
(Original article in Italian on LaVoce.info)
Disruptive innovations are meant to decrease transaction costs, fostering changes  both on the behavior  of market actors and on regulatory frameworks. To hinder the development of such exchange platforms is wishful thinking and surely it harms consumers. The Uber case.