In memory of David Marsden, Elke Schüßler, Laura Thäter, and Sara Maric presented their research titled 'Digital Capitalism without Firms? Consequences for the Organization and Regulation of Work from an Employment Systems Perspective' at the London School of Economics.

This work provides an alternative perspective on platform-based labor markets, emphasizing that digital platforms create more than just contract-based work arrangements. Instead, structures similar to traditional employment systems emerge, involving long-term relationships between platform workers, the platform, and clients. This development occurs within a still uncertain legal framework. While ongoing legal discussions at EU and national levels primarily address location-bound gig work, where workers are highly dependent on platforms, the spectrum of platform work is diverse. In fields like creative work or professional services, historically associated with self-employment, platforms complement project- and network-based organizational models. These considerations can broaden current legal debates.

We are grateful for the opportunity to present our research at the London School of Economics and greatly appreciate the warm reception from the community there. We would like to highlight the constructive and helpful discussions with colleagues, as they provided valuable insights to further strengthen our argument.