It is a common assumption that knowledge possesses value. The value we attribute to knowledge jus... more It is a common assumption that knowledge possesses value. The value we attribute to knowledge justifies its acquisition and possession. It justifies the enforcement of laws and international agreements. It is not obvious, however, what type of value knowledge possesses or whether its value is economic, instrumental, moral, social or even if it possesses value per se, as an absolute value, or whether its value depends on other factors. Intellectual property law is nonetheless based on value judgments and on assumptions that this paper intends to challenge using the theory of value developed by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi applied, for the first time, to the study of intellectual property law.
This paper examines some of the key factors that contribute to build or erode users’ trust in a p... more This paper examines some of the key factors that contribute to build or erode users’ trust in a platform-based service such as the one provided by Uber Technologies Inc. As clarified by the European Commission, the future Internet cannot succeed without trust of online platforms’ users. The paper explores Uber’s web of relationships with different categories of users, i.e., ‘driver-partners’, ‘riders’, ‘developers’ and ‘business users’ through Uber’s legal and non-legal representations. By analysing Uber ‘legals’ (terms of service, privacy policy, etc.) and the non-legal representations of these norms through the wider Uber community ecosystem (forums, blogs, etc.), it explores how transparency and collective awareness can play a role in sustaining trust. It concludes that the opacity of its ‘legals’ and of its corporate structure could create tensions within the market and undermine the users’ trust. Therefore, the authors recommend that in order to foster trust and ensure fairness, Uber should ensure consistency between its legal and non-legal representation and adopt a more transparent and fair approach in its legals. This would, in turn, empower its users community to participate in the decision making and could provide an example for other platforms.
There is an historical convergence linking together phenomena such as globalisation of the econom... more There is an historical convergence linking together phenomena such as globalisation of the economy and trade, International and European legislation, the movement of people, the developments in communication and learning technologies and the demand for a flexible, accessible and relevant education which resembles some of the conditions occurred during the formation of Medieval universities. This paper presents a case for an international networked Higher Education (HE) system. Looking at the history of university's formation, it draws a comparison with the present to illustrate a possible scenario for the future of HE learning.
In a time of dominance of global markets, fast growing developments in information and communicat... more In a time of dominance of global markets, fast growing developments in information and communication technology and economic slowdown, Higher Education is undertaking its most substantial transformation of the last three centuries. With the emergence of non-traditional providers, international research collaborations and cross national delivery of education programs, Higher Education is configuring itself even more as a global service. How is University faring as part of a global market for knowledge and innovation?
This positional paper gives an overview of some critical issues concerning collective awareness p... more This positional paper gives an overview of some critical issues concerning collective awareness platforms. It shows how collective awareness could reconcile asymmetric and conflicting relationships to pursue the improvement of structures within society. It also shows the opportunity for public administrations and policy makers to create conditions for collective participation. Collective intelligence can be used as process to pursue the improvement of society based on the collective efforts of individuals. This could be assimilated to a process of social eudamonia, an improvement of the self and of society through awareness and understanding. However, things are not so simple and internal tensions lead to divergent outcomes. While society is increasingly fragmented and polarised, the power over information seems to concentrate in the hands of few service providers, fiercely competing for market shares and user-generated data, thanks to laws and structures built for a competition driven society. By contrast, there is a growing demand for sharing data, access to information and for the empowerment of individuals and communities. In response to this demand, many Internet based platforms have been created, governments in Europe have started pursuing open access policies and companies are adopting mixed business models in order to acquire a larger share of data and users. Individuals, companies, governments pursue different objectives using a mix of communication and collaborative tools allowing users to play a pivotal role in the production and management of information, creating the foundation for new horizontal modes of communication and decision making. In order to exemplify pathways to collective awareness to build a society that fosters eudemonia, the paper proposes two examples: 1) social media learning and 2) the governance of health delivery services through social media.
It is a common assumption that knowledge possesses value. The value we attribute to knowledge jus... more It is a common assumption that knowledge possesses value. The value we attribute to knowledge justifies its acquisition and possession. It justifies the enforcement of laws and international agreements. It is not obvious, however, what type of value knowledge possesses or whether its value is economic, instrumental, moral, social or even if it possesses value per se, as an absolute value, or whether its value depends on other factors. Intellectual property law is nonetheless based on value judgments and on assumptions that this paper intends to challenge using the theory of value developed by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi applied, for the first time, to the study of intellectual property law.
This paper examines some of the key factors that contribute to build or erode users’ trust in a p... more This paper examines some of the key factors that contribute to build or erode users’ trust in a platform-based service such as the one provided by Uber Technologies Inc. As clarified by the European Commission, the future Internet cannot succeed without trust of online platforms’ users. The paper explores Uber’s web of relationships with different categories of users, i.e., ‘driver-partners’, ‘riders’, ‘developers’ and ‘business users’ through Uber’s legal and non-legal representations. By analysing Uber ‘legals’ (terms of service, privacy policy, etc.) and the non-legal representations of these norms through the wider Uber community ecosystem (forums, blogs, etc.), it explores how transparency and collective awareness can play a role in sustaining trust. It concludes that the opacity of its ‘legals’ and of its corporate structure could create tensions within the market and undermine the users’ trust. Therefore, the authors recommend that in order to foster trust and ensure fairness, Uber should ensure consistency between its legal and non-legal representation and adopt a more transparent and fair approach in its legals. This would, in turn, empower its users community to participate in the decision making and could provide an example for other platforms.
There is an historical convergence linking together phenomena such as globalisation of the econom... more There is an historical convergence linking together phenomena such as globalisation of the economy and trade, International and European legislation, the movement of people, the developments in communication and learning technologies and the demand for a flexible, accessible and relevant education which resembles some of the conditions occurred during the formation of Medieval universities. This paper presents a case for an international networked Higher Education (HE) system. Looking at the history of university's formation, it draws a comparison with the present to illustrate a possible scenario for the future of HE learning.
In a time of dominance of global markets, fast growing developments in information and communicat... more In a time of dominance of global markets, fast growing developments in information and communication technology and economic slowdown, Higher Education is undertaking its most substantial transformation of the last three centuries. With the emergence of non-traditional providers, international research collaborations and cross national delivery of education programs, Higher Education is configuring itself even more as a global service. How is University faring as part of a global market for knowledge and innovation?
This positional paper gives an overview of some critical issues concerning collective awareness p... more This positional paper gives an overview of some critical issues concerning collective awareness platforms. It shows how collective awareness could reconcile asymmetric and conflicting relationships to pursue the improvement of structures within society. It also shows the opportunity for public administrations and policy makers to create conditions for collective participation. Collective intelligence can be used as process to pursue the improvement of society based on the collective efforts of individuals. This could be assimilated to a process of social eudamonia, an improvement of the self and of society through awareness and understanding. However, things are not so simple and internal tensions lead to divergent outcomes. While society is increasingly fragmented and polarised, the power over information seems to concentrate in the hands of few service providers, fiercely competing for market shares and user-generated data, thanks to laws and structures built for a competition driven society. By contrast, there is a growing demand for sharing data, access to information and for the empowerment of individuals and communities. In response to this demand, many Internet based platforms have been created, governments in Europe have started pursuing open access policies and companies are adopting mixed business models in order to acquire a larger share of data and users. Individuals, companies, governments pursue different objectives using a mix of communication and collaborative tools allowing users to play a pivotal role in the production and management of information, creating the foundation for new horizontal modes of communication and decision making. In order to exemplify pathways to collective awareness to build a society that fosters eudemonia, the paper proposes two examples: 1) social media learning and 2) the governance of health delivery services through social media.
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Papers by Luce Jacovella
service such as the one provided by Uber Technologies Inc. As clarified by the European Commission, the future
Internet cannot succeed without trust of online platforms’ users. The paper explores Uber’s web of relationships with
different categories of users, i.e., ‘driver-partners’, ‘riders’, ‘developers’ and ‘business users’ through Uber’s legal
and non-legal representations. By analysing Uber ‘legals’ (terms of service, privacy policy, etc.) and the non-legal
representations of these norms through the wider Uber community ecosystem (forums, blogs, etc.), it explores how
transparency and collective awareness can play a role in sustaining trust. It concludes that the opacity of its ‘legals’ and
of its corporate structure could create tensions within the market and undermine the users’ trust. Therefore, the authors
recommend that in order to foster trust and ensure fairness, Uber should ensure consistency between its legal and
non-legal representation and adopt a more transparent and fair approach in its legals. This would, in turn, empower its
users community to participate in the decision making and could provide an example for other platforms.
service such as the one provided by Uber Technologies Inc. As clarified by the European Commission, the future
Internet cannot succeed without trust of online platforms’ users. The paper explores Uber’s web of relationships with
different categories of users, i.e., ‘driver-partners’, ‘riders’, ‘developers’ and ‘business users’ through Uber’s legal
and non-legal representations. By analysing Uber ‘legals’ (terms of service, privacy policy, etc.) and the non-legal
representations of these norms through the wider Uber community ecosystem (forums, blogs, etc.), it explores how
transparency and collective awareness can play a role in sustaining trust. It concludes that the opacity of its ‘legals’ and
of its corporate structure could create tensions within the market and undermine the users’ trust. Therefore, the authors
recommend that in order to foster trust and ensure fairness, Uber should ensure consistency between its legal and
non-legal representation and adopt a more transparent and fair approach in its legals. This would, in turn, empower its
users community to participate in the decision making and could provide an example for other platforms.