17-09.
Platform cooperative
Pattern description
A platform cooperative, or platform co-op, is a cooperatively-owned, democratically-governed business that uses a protocol, website or mobile app to facilitate the sale of goods and services. Platform cooperatives are an alternative to venture capital funded platforms insofar as they are owned and governed by those who depend on them most—workers, users, and other relevant stakeholders. Proponents of platform cooperativism claim that, by ensuring the financial and social value of a platform circulate among these participants, platform cooperatives will bring about a more equitable and fair digitally-mediated economy in contrast with the extractive models of corporate intermediaries. Platform cooperatives differ from traditional cooperatives not only due to their use of digital technologies, but also by their contribution to the commons for the purpose of fostering an equitable social and economic landscape.
Inventive problems
The customers should visit as few places as possible (it's the best - one place) to find information about products (goods and services) and suppliers, so as not to waste time on shopping, visiting companies or surfing the web.
The customers should visit many different places (shops, companies, Internet sites) to find the most complete information about products (goods and services) and suppliers.
The company should be large and have a complex structure to perform a large number of diverse operations for the development, production, and delivery of a complex product to the customers.
The company should be small and have a simple structure in order to:
- reduce the variety and complexity of the company activities;
- focus on a small number of core operations;
- have a small stuff;
- minimize the cost of development, production, sale, and delivery of products to customers.