Diving deep into the screen: The Realities of Online Transport Tariff Disputes

Abstract

This research aims to uncover the reality of online transportation "fees", a primary source of conflict, and to explore the social structures and cultural pattern that construct these fees. Employing a netnographic method, this study reveals the socially mediated realities behind tariff disputes. Our findings indicate that drivers perceive the “fee” not merely as income but as a socio-culturally binding burden that fosters dependency. We delineate the social and cultural structures emergent from this fee system. Consequently, we propose a transformative approach rooted in local values to reconfigure this reality into a form of conflict resolution and enhance driver prosperity. This study offer significant practical and policy implication.