Platvormiühistu

Platvormiühistu, a term of Estonian origin, translates to platform cooperative. It describes a specific type of cooperative organization that operates within the digital economy, leveraging online platforms to facilitate its activities. Unlike traditional cooperatives, which often have a physical presence and focus on tangible goods or services, platform cooperatives are designed for the digital realm.

The core concept of a platform cooperative is to collectivize ownership and governance of digital platforms. Instead of a single entity or a small group of shareholders controlling a platform, the users, workers, or producers who interact with and contribute to the platform collectively own and manage it. This model aims to redistribute the value generated by the platform back to its participants, rather than concentrating it in the hands of a few.

Common examples of platform cooperatives include worker-owned ride-sharing services, housing cooperatives that manage online booking systems, or artist collectives that use a shared digital platform for sales and promotion. These organizations strive to offer fairer terms for their members, greater transparency in operations, and a more democratic decision-making process compared to conventional platform businesses. The goal is to create a more equitable digital economy where the benefits of technology are shared more broadly.