Contestation of Online Transportation Actors in Public Spaces

Abstract

This article discusses the contestation that occurs between online motorcycle taxis and on-the-go taxis (locally known as ojek pangkalan) in gig economy situations in public spaces. Different from previous studies that emphasize aspects of factors, competitive strategies, and ways of adaptation, this paper explains more about their contestation in the public space arena and online media. This paper analyzed it using the concept of Social Network Analysis from Neil Fleigstein (2012), which identifies actor resources and collaborative networks that exist after a contestation situation. Data was collected through mixed methods utilizing digital data using the NVivo, Wordij, and Gephi applications, complemented by in-depth interviews and field observations supplemented by similar literature. Overall, the results show that online motorcycle uses their social skill to develop a strategy for maintaining the resources and access to the market. The resolution of the contestation between social actors operating in the transportation sector in public space produces a dominant group which can control the chaotic situation to win customers.