Formalization or accumulation? Digitalization and dependency in food delivery platforms

The paper provides a perspective, empirically explorated in the context of food delivery, able to focus those factors which have developed the digitalizazion of the economy, but also why its benefits are not being redistributed among those who have been involved. The hypothesis is that this happens because digitalization is not only the product of technological development, but also of a ri-articulation of accumulation processes happening in the context of neoliberalism effects on the society. A process which is not only increasing the relevance of food delivery, but it is also transforming social relations inside such context. The paper presents empirical evidences coming from the analysis of four of the major food delivery platforms balance sheet. Furthermore, the author will analyze 5 interviews conducted among food delivery workers and 7 among restaurant’s manager. The author finally underlines how digitalization is producing a dependency from digital platforms which gets deepen by the way in which they operate.