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philosophia reformata 82 (2017) 192- © koninklijke brill nv, leiden, 2017 | doi 10.1163/23528230- brill.com/Phir
An Assessment of the Uber App’s Normative
Practice
Christine Boshuijzen-van Burken Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands [email protected] Darek M. Haftor Uppsala University, Uppsala, and Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden [email protected] Abstract This study analyzes a complex case in society, namely, how to distinguish ride-sharing applications, such as Uber, from ordinary taxi enterprises. We conduct a structural analysis of normative practices with distinctions at the following levels: (1) aspects; (2) radical types, genotypes, and phenotypes; (3) part-whole, enkaptic relationships, and interlinkages; and (4) the distinction between qualifying and foundational functions as it is captured in the theory of normative practices. We conclude that the genotype of taxi matchmaking enterprises, of which Uber is an example, represents a novel nor- mativity that could positively serve society and also produce normative challenges, depending on its governance. Therefore, regulators should not dismiss the entire genotype of taxi matchmaking enterprises, but should address the phenotypes that are illegal or that cannot thrive without the illegal behaviors of its users. This conclu- sion is clear from the structural and directional sides of the practice. Keywords normative practice – enkaptic relationships – Uber – aspects – application-based companies
An Assessment of the Uber App’s Normative Practice 193 philosophia reformata 82 (2017) 192- 1 Introduction “European court takes up the question: what is Uber?” was the headline of the Financial Times on November 28, 2016 (Robinson and Murgia 2016). Some people consider Uber a taxi enterprise, but Uber declares that it is not a taxi business, but a technology company. Other people categorize it as a ride-sharing software application (i.e., an app) or a taxi network enterprise (Dorenbos 2014). If the European Court of Justice were to decide that Uber is purely digital, then Uber, with a current estimated market value of usd 63 billion, would have the right to establish its business across Europe. However, if the court were to decide that Uber is an ordinary taxi enterprise, it would not be regulated in Europe as a technology enterprise—it might even be banned. The outcome will influence many other application-based companies that connect independent workers directly to consumers, such as Lyft, Ola, Didi, and Grab. Furthermore, it might be decided that Uber combines some elements of an “information so- ciety service” with elements of a taxi enterprise, “creating further confusion for online intermediaries operating within the eu” (Robinson and Murgia 2016). This discussion has been ongoing during recent years, and many newspaper articles have been devoted to either blaming Uber for unfair competition and legal evasions or blaming taxi enterprises for sustaining an unfair monopoly of the taxi industry. Uber has been embraced in some countries, e.g., Estonia (Mardiste 2016), banned in other countries, e.g., the Netherlands (Hellier 2015), and, occasionally, it has voluntarily left a country because it could no longer comply with the laws regulating taxi services, e.g., Denmark (Skydsgaard 2017). The present investigation addresses the question of Uber’s identity by further asking whether and how it is distinguished from an ordinary taxi en- terprise. This elaboration brings clarity through a structural analysis of mod- al functioning and relationships between societal entities. We use insights from reformational philosophy, such as distinctions at the following levels: (1) aspects; (2) radical types, genotypes, and phenotypes; (3) part-whole, enkaptic relationships, and interlinkages; and (4) the distinction between qualifying and foundational functions as it is captured in the theory of nor- mative practices. The overall aim of this study is to clarify a novel complexity created through digital technologies. This analysis shows that the four above- mentioned distinctions should not be regarded in isolation. In particular, as to relationships with other societal entities, we identify points of uniqueness in taxi matchmaking enterprises (e.g., Uber) and in ordinary taxi enterprises, as well as commonalities and differences.
An Assessment of the Uber App’s Normative Practice 195 philosophia reformata 82 (2017) 192- of taxi enterprises, but we assume that those differences are irrelevant to our analysis, and they are, therefore, ignored. 2.1.1 Historical Background History informs us that taxis, or cabs, as understood today, emerged in London in the seventeenth century, and they spread quickly to Paris, other key European cities, and New York (Gilbey 1903). They emerged in response to non-London nobilities’ desire for private transportation to London for ex- tended visits. Initially, the king prohibited paid in-city horse-drawn carriage transit. However, special permissions were eventually given, which initiated what we now define as taxis. The initial vehicle of transportation—the horse- drawn carriage—was eventually replaced by the automobile, which populated cities quickly. The key components of a cab are a vehicle, a driver, and a passenger. The passenger can be further differentiated from the customer because customers pay fees (the cab fares) whereas passengers are the persons being transported. Typically, a cab trip comprises passengers that are customers; sometimes, one passenger, who is the passenger-customer, pays the fare while the oth- ers are only passengers. Another scenario occurs when the customer is not a passenger—for instance, when parents transport their children by taxi and the parents pay the fare but are not themselves transported. The following analysis, however, does not focus on this distinction; therefore, we omit it to reduce the complexity of the analysis, although we recognize that the distinction might be important in certain situations beyond the scope of this study. The core task of a cab is to provide customized transit for humans who want it and will pay for it. The term customized means to provide transportation at the desired time from one geographical location to another according to the customer’s needs. Customized transit could be contrasted to other types of transit, such as bus, train, or tram, that operate on relatively fixed spatial routes and time schedules with given start and stop destinations, typically for a large group of people, often offering low levels of comfort (standing room and small seats) at a lower fee. This definition identifies the customized temporal and spatial aspects at the core of cab services. Any cab enterprise includes the acquisition and maintenance of a suitable vehicle, which usually is an auto- mobile that offers a significant level of comfort. We are aware that, in some countries, boats, rickshaws, or minivans are used for cab services. From the beginning, the cab industry in London was regulated. There are several specific regulations on taxi enterprises (Rienstra, Bakker, and Visser 2015 ). One central regulation concerns the number of cabs permitted to oper- ate in a given area, such as a city. This regulation is sometimes referred to as
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a “medallion,” or special permission, to conduct cab services in a given place. Such permissions are regulated and controlled in many countries for a variety of reasons; however, in other countries, there are no such restrictions. London, for example, limits the number of cabs, but neither Stockholm nor Dublin has such limitations (ibid.). Another key regulation is the need for a special taxi license, which certi- fies that drivers have successfully passed knowledge and skill tests that qualify them to be taxi drivers. Depending on the country and city, this might include everything from knowledge on cars, the city in which they will operate, how to locate addresses, and how to provide good service to passengers, to application of first aid to people in need. In some places, cabs are required to carry dedicat- ed taxi car insurance. All of these regulations have developed over a period of years, aiming to standardize taxi enterprises and to protect drivers, passengers, customers, and local areas of operation. In addition, there are general regula- tions with which a taxi enterprise must comply that are the same as for any other enterprise—for example, profit taxation and value-added taxation on profits. Clearly, these and other regulations govern taxi enterprises, and drivers are expected to comply with them. 2.1.2 The Single-Cab Firm The scf is defined in this study as a vehicle and its driver, legally operationalized as an enterprise offering customized transportation to people for payment. scf refers to the case where a driver and vehicle are operating independently—as opposed to being part of a taxi enterprise with a fleet of vehicles—and there is no employer-employee relationship other than the cab driver’s status as self-employed. The scf centers on several core activities that comprise the definition of a cab. One central activity concerns a potential passenger standing on the street and hailing a cab. If a driver and the potential passenger detect each other and the cab is available, the cab driver will stop and the potential passenger will board, often sitting in the rear seat of the car. The driver and passenger then exchange greetings followed by the passenger informing the driver of the desired destination. During transit, the passenger and driver may or may not chat. There is an expectation of certain conventional behaviors, such as polite- ness; a clean, safe, and reliable cab; that the driver knows how to drive; and that the driver can find the destination. Upon arrival at the desired destina- tion, the passenger will pay the driver (fees are indicated by a taximeter or are fixed prices), perhaps offering a tip, and they will exchange farewells as the passenger exits the vehicle. A key feature of the scf is that its operations are limited by time and space because drivers typically obtain their passengers by being signaled from the
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2.1.4 The Non-Cab Firm With the advent of Uber, Lyft, Curb, Didi, Grab, and Ola, a new type of taxi en- terprise was established which can be understood as uncoupling the pfm from the mcf and independently operating. The pfm has become a separate way to generate profit that has evolved into a software-based enterprise. This means that ncfs do not own any vehicles or employ any drivers—they merely pro- vide matchmaking services between potential passengers desiring transporta- tion and available taxis. Therefore, this type is referred to as non-cab because it does not own or operate vehicles. The key operations of the ncf include obtaining drivers with vehicles to enroll as drivers and obtaining potential pas- sengers for those drivers. The sign-up procedure is conducted over the Inter- net. A potential passenger downloads a software application, registers her or his name and contact details, and provides a credit card number for automatic and instant payment. Similarly, a potential driver downloads the application for drivers and applies to become a driver. The driver must meet certain condi- tions, such as having access to an automobile and possessing a driver’s license. These conditions vary depending on when and where the transportation oc- curs. They also vary depending on the company and its branch location; for ex- ample, UberPOP and UberBlack have particular requirements for their drivers and vehicles, such as a criminal background check (Feeney 2015; Mirani 2015). The ncf operates as follows. Once a passenger and a driver have signed up, the passenger directly requests a ride through the pfm of the ncf, which automatically sends the request to nearby available drivers. The information sent with the request comprises the pick-up location, passenger profile, desti- nation, suggested route, and fee. The first driver who wants this order signals through the system that the order has been accepted, and he or she proceeds to pick up the passenger, conduct the trip according to the route suggested by the application, and, upon reaching the destination, receive the fee. The fare is calculated through an algorithm that accounts for supply and demand (“surge price system”) and is paid electronically by charging the passenger’s credit card. The ncf retains a share of the fee (e.g., 20%) and remits the remainder to the driver. Figure 1 schematically represents the three types of taxi enterprises discussed in this section. 3 Analysis To analyze the different types of taxi enterprises, we employ insights from ref- ormational philosophy; specifically, the normative practice model (Jochemsen and Glas 1997).
An Assessment of the Uber App’s Normative Practice 199 philosophia reformata 82 (2017) 192- Cab Pas- senger Call center Cab Pas- senger Call center Cab Pas- senger Single-Cab Firm Multi-Cab Firm Non-Cab Firm Figure 1 The three types of taxi enterprises addressed in this study: Single-Cab Firm, Multi- Cab Firm, and Non-Cab Firm. The circles represent the respective firms This analysis is necessary to clarify the way that enterprises, such as Uber, should be classified and assessed. To address the normative character of the current development of taxi enterprises, we use the concepts of structure and direction , which are key to the normative practice model. Jochemsen and Glas define a practice as not merely the collection of specific actions, but as a “so- cially established complex of related actions, for which a characteristic pat- tern of norms holds” (Jochemsen and Glas 1997, 27; our translation). A further specification of the “characteristic pattern of norms” is given for the structural aspect of the practice, which, together with the directional side of the practice (see sect. 3.3.), defines the practice as normative. We add a further insight to the structural analysis, namely, that “there are different types of individuality structures which are different for different groups of things and in which things alternately appear, form themselves or are formed, and disappear” (Dooyeweerd 1953–1958:2, 489). Types can be cat- egorized as radical types, genotypes, and phenotypes (ibid.). In the case of the customized passenger transit provision, specific types of enterprises might ap- pear and disappear, partly depending on the technological possibilities of a given period. Another useful insight for our study is that individuality structures tend to be enkaptically interwoven and, therefore, things that might initially be con- sidered as “simple” are, in fact, always realized in and constituted by the inter- structural intertwinements with other individuality structures (Dooyeweerd 1953–1958:3, 54 and 627). These “intertwinements of individuality structures cannot be posited a priori, but must be discovered in continuous confronta- tion with empirical social reality” (ibid., 264). Therefore, we pay attention to the relational structures of the entities under observation and to their relation- ships with other societal structures.
An Assessment of the Uber App’s Normative Practice 201 philosophia reformata 82 (2017) 192- of the practice. Competent performance of a practice requires simultaneous compliance with the rules—functioning in the assessment of competent performance as norms—related to the various aspects. Direction refers to the regulating aspect of a normative practice. It has an existential dimension that implies a perspective on what is considered good in life. It involves the variety of basic convictions that drive people to perform their tasks, or the ethos of a profession, influencing the ways the rules are interpreted and developed in daily practice. 3.1 Individuality Structures First, we analyze the structural side of the scf, mcf, and ncf regarding the relevant factors, focusing on aspectual differences and similarities among the types of taxi enterprises. 3.1.1 Aspectual Analysis of the scf The ordinary taxi enterprise, the scf, demonstrates that cab services are about offering customized (in terms of time and space) transportation to people for fees—therefore, it is qualified by the economic aspect. It differs from offer- ing a ride to a neighbor, which is a courtesy or an act of kindness. It further demonstrates that transit services, either for a fee or as a courtesy, are socially based; in other words, there would be no cab services if people were isolated and never interacted with each other. This taxi enterprise is further conditioned by legal aspects, such as taxi per- mits and regulations; linguistic aspects, by conveying symbols identifying a vehicle as a cab and conveying meaningful messages about pick-up, destina- tion, and fees; social aspects, wherein driver and passenger behave respect- fully toward each other and employ courtesy norms; and moral aspects, such as honesty and fair pricing. There are also pistic aspects, which are religious expressions, such as crucifixes and prayer chains in cabs, and there is a sense of trust 2 that the vehicle is reliable, the driver has adequate driving skills, and the passenger will pay for the ride. Another conditional aspect involved is the aesthetic aspect, because a cab ride is expected to be smooth, comfortable, and clean. Finally, cab operations employ technological assets and infrastructure (formative aspect), such as streets and vehicular infrastructure (e.g., the pro- duction, provision, and maintenance of the vehicles). 2 One reviewer correctly commented that the pistic aspect relates to “ultimate trust” in Dooye- weerd’s framework; here, trust should be understood in an analogous sense—economic trust, social trust, and formative trust.
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3.1.2 Aspectual Analysis of the mcf Communication technology enables the mcf to cover a wider geographical area (spatial aspect) than the scf; hence, its area of coverage and, thus, its potential customer base is larger than that of the scf. mcfs own numerous vehicles and employ numerous drivers (numerical aspect). The pfm serves the mcf through information exchange; hence, the pfm is qualified by matching passengers with drivers (the analytical aspect) because it is about making dis- tinctions, which is a key element of a successful matching mechanism. Other important aspects of the mcf’s pfm are the lingual aspect, in which meaning- ful information about pick-up location and destination is conveyed, and the social aspect concerning the social interactions among the call center opera- tors, drivers, and customers/passengers. The pfm is formatively founded and characterized by communication technology. The economic costs of the pfm depend on the primary process of the mcf, which is transporting passengers for a fee—therefore, the mcf is economically qualified. 3.1.3 Aspectual Analysis of the ncf ncfs neither own vehicles nor employ drivers, but, because they are not re- stricted by time or space, they often operate in multiple cities or countries (nu- merical aspect). In other words, wherever the online application is accessible (spatial aspect), drivers can drive for an ncf, at any time. The two key mecha- nisms of the ncf are the pfm (formative aspect) and the automatic fee trans- action (economic aspect), which are the economically qualified foundational functions of the ncf. Some ncfs, such as Uber, offer drivers and passengers the ability to assess the transit experience through a rating system provided in the application—this relates to the moral aspect because the rating system ex- ists to exclude passengers and drivers who reportedly are “aggressive, violent, or disrespectful” (https://newsroom.uber.com/feedback-is-a-2-way-street/). The legal aspect of the ncf is complex (see our explanation in the introduc- tion to this paper). Some ncfs, such as Uber’s UberPOP branch, allow driv- ers to sign up as service providers without complying with local regulations; for instance, obtaining permission to operate in a certain region (medallions); waiving the taxi driver’s licensing tests or specific insurances on the vehicle, driver, passengers, or other actors in traffic; and/or forgiving taxes, such as vat or income tax. Strictly speaking, the driver is responsible for violations of the law; however, the ncf is enabling violations and incentivizing drivers to vio- late the law by offering them “side” jobs. 3.2 Structure of the Radical Types, Genotypes, and Phenotypes In section 2 we provided a pre-theoretical understanding of the historical evo- lution of the taxi industry, classifying three types of taxi enterprises—scf,
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distinguish at the genotype level, differences immediately become apparent, as described below. Genotype: Customized Passenger Transit Company An scf or an mcf is char- acterized by owning one or a fleet of cars and employing drivers to offer private transit—as opposed to trains or buses, which offer public transit. Therefore, they are examples of the genotype customized passenger transit enterprise with the primary function of facilitating passenger transit via private vehicle with a driver for a fee. Private passenger transit occurs for many different reasons— e.g., socializing, employment, caregiving, or shopping—and is qualified by the social aspect. A taxi enterprise is a specific response to a basic human need for social interaction by means of the radical type of an enterprise, the latter being economically qualified. Other ways to respond to this basic human need (for instance, public transit) belong to a different radical type—to wit, public services—which is qualified by the legal aspect. Another way to facilitate so- cial interaction is to offer free rides to friends, neighbors, or colleagues; this belongs to the radical type of volunteer efforts, which are morally qualified. When the basic human need for social interaction disappears, the reason for a passenger transit enterprise ceases to exist. There is also transportation of goods and services, which we exclude from this analysis. We do recognize that a taxi might be used to transport goods, but in many countries these rides are not considered as taxi rides but as transportation of goods. Therefore, they fall under different law and tax schemes (Royal Dutch Transport Federation 2017). The foundational function of the private passenger transit enterprise is forma- tive because it needs a vehicle to accomplish its primary process. Phenotype: Taxi Services scfs and mcfs are different phenotypes within the genotype of customized passenger transit that could be defined as “taxi ser- vices.” There are relational differences; for example, the driver of an scf is an independent worker who owns the vehicle, whereas the mcf owns a fleet of vehicles and employs numerous drivers. In the mcf and the scf, the vehicle has a part-whole relationship to the enterprise—without a vehicle, the enter- prise’s primary process stops. The driver is enkaptically interwoven with the enterprise by a contract, which implies a hierarchical relationship. The driver is not completely free to decide when and where to work, and he or she de- pends on the demands of the taxi enterprise. Genotype: Transit Matchmaking Company In contrast to scfs and mcfs, ncfs belong to the transit matchmaking enterprise genotype. Uber, for ex- ample, neither owns cars nor employs drivers. There are different ways to operate transit matchmaking enterprises—for instance, on the Internet, or through a central telephonic service. This genotype’s primary process concerns maintaining and keeping its technological platform current for establishing
An Assessment of the Uber App’s Normative Practice 205 philosophia reformata 82 (2017) 192- successful matches between people in need of customized vehicle transport and the available vehicles. Within the radical type of an enterprise, the qualify- ing function of the transit matchmaking enterprise is social because its prima- ry process is to connect passengers to drivers. Other technological platforms that match passengers to drivers do not belong to the radical type of enterprise because they make the connections for free through open software (e.g., Libre- Taxi and Carpooling Open Source Ride-Sharing Application [Bonarrigo et al. 2014 ]). These platforms might belong to the radical type of volunteer organiza- tions (morally qualified) and fall outside the scope of this analysis. Thus, the qualifying function of a system that matches passengers to driv- ers is social, but this qualifying function could be found in numerous radical types (with different qualifying functions). Uber is operationalized within the radical type of an enterprise (economically qualified). The foundational func- tion of the ncf is formative because its functioning depends on its platform, and it is further conditioned by the communications technology infrastruc- ture, such as Internet access and availability of smartphones. There could be contracts between drivers, passengers, and transit matchmaking enterprises, but there is no hierarchical relationship; therefore, they form an interlinkage. Transit matchmaking enterprises’ drivers are free to work whenever and wher- ever they please. Phenotype: Application-Based Transit Matchmaking Company Uber, as an ncf, belongs to the phenotype of application-based transit matchmaking en- terprises. There are other enterprises in that phenotype (for instance, Lyft, Ola, Didi, and Grab) that all use smartphone applications. In the radical type Taxi Paris (^) Uber Ola (^) Lyft Taxi London Taxi Couch hire service Customized passenger transportation service Transit matchmaking company Business Internet app-based Telephone- based Radical type Genotype Phenotype Figure 2 The structural organization of the entities involved in the types of taxi enterprises in this study: radical types, genotypes, and phenotypes in the taxi industry
An Assessment of the Uber App’s Normative Practice 207 philosophia reformata 82 (2017) 192- It is important to note that the “normativity” in the concept of norma- tive practice is constitutive as well as regulative. In other words, practices are normative in what constitutes them as well as in what regulates them. The importance of both aspects opens up ways to assess newcomer Uber and or- dinary taxi practice. Ordinary taxi enterprises are known for their aggressive and restrictive market competition, which is a directional norm that some- times leads to a crisis in the taxi industry. A good example is the taxi war in the Netherlands in 2000, in which a driver killed a potential passenger over a price dispute (“Taxioorlog” [Taxi war] 2017 ). Witt, Suzor, and Wikström ( 2015 , 177) observed the following about regu- lating ncfs (such as Uber) which might be applicable to the taxi industry in general. A substantial part of the battle is actually being waged as an ongoing ideological conflict between different conceptions of the appropriate role of the state, algorithms, and markets. This ideological conflict is supplemented in rich and complex ways by strong and often conflict- ing rhetoric of decentralization, liberation, communitarian sharing, and anti-consumerism. In short, the directional side of a new or pre-existing practice produces as much conflict as the structural side of the practice. In the theory of normative practices, fairness to all aspects is the key to the flourishing of the practice and to the flourishing of the society in which it func- tions. scfs, mcfs, and ncfs do not operate in a void but in a context that is richer than a mere economic business climate. For example, a business must give priority to the economic aspect, but it will not succeed in the long term if it does not pay attention to the social, legal, and pistic aspects. As to Uber, it is clear that no consideration has been given to the legal aspect because many Uber drivers do not obey the rules and regulations on customized passenger transit. The fact that not all taxi enterprises operating under the ncf business model violate these regulations indicates that ncfs are sometimes legal opera- tions. The owners decide how to operate, and they choose to demand com- pliance from the drivers or to ignore violations. Significant economic value creation seems to be a strong motivation for some ncf owners to choose to indirectly contribute to illegal practices. In other words, because more rides means more transactions, and banning drivers who do not comply with the rules means less profit, many rides are provided by non-compliant drivers. Uber aims to convince regulators that the laws on customized passenger transit do
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not apply to them because of their internal rating system. Uber’s disrespect for the legal aspect has already caused their UberPOP branch to cease operating in some countries, such as the Netherlands (“Uber drops Uberpop taxi service in the Netherlands” 2015 ). 3.4 Relational Similarities and Differences between Uber and Ordinary Taxi Enterprises Uber and ordinary taxi enterprises have at least two things in common: (1) they are a radical type of an economic entity (a business enterprise) and (2) they op- erate in the customized passenger transit industry. They share the same quali- fying principle with respect to radical types, but they differ in the foundational aspect. Uber’s foundational rules relate to software applications, whereas the other taxi enterprises’ functioning concerns their vehicles and drivers. Both types operate in the same market industry and are therefore interlinked, al- though enterprises do not have the same foundational function. Through its foundational function, which is typical of the transit matchmaking genotype, Uber could operate in other industries, such as the freight industry. It could use a slightly adapted version of its software to connect “that what needs to be transported” to “that what can transport it,” which is how Uber actually oper- ates (see “We’re in for the long haul” 2017 ). Some of the key features of the normative practice of ordinary passenger transit are quite different from a digital matching system between passengers and drivers. First, several norms in the pre-theoretical understanding of the scf and mcf do not exist in the case of ncfs. For example, standing on the street and hailing a taxi is not normative for ncfs, there is no need to tell driv- ers where to go because of the online servicing, and the physical act of paying drivers for services does not exist in such phenotypes as Uber (Gillett 2016). In the case of ncfs, the focal point of attention shifts from a visual focus on cars, faces, fare rates, taximeters, and coins to the smartphone monitor. Second, the situation is different with respect to relationships. Although the relationship between driver and passenger is interlinked in an ncf as well as in an scf and mcf, the ncf online service requires a customer’s acceptance of the terms and conditions for using the service, and through this constitutive rule of the ncf, the customer’s anonymity cannot be guaranteed. In Uber’s sign-up process, a formal legal and economic relationship between customers and Uber is established through agreements that stipulate legal conditions for their interaction and relationship, and in 2016 Uber was blamed for privacy breaches (Carson 2016). This formal legal relationship is absent from the scf and the mcf.
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The strength of the normative practice model is that it harmonizes two ap- proaches. On the one hand, types of enterprises in the passenger transit indus- try can be understood in purely functional terms—that is, in terms of what they do as their primary process. On the other hand, the enterprises can be understood in terms of their ultimate objectives (telos) and a worldview per- spective, considering what they enable or incentivize and the ways that they fulfill human needs. Considering Uber (and Uber-like enterprises) from the purely functionalist approach identifies it is as merely a smart digital platform that enables geo- graphical information exchange between smartphones and an automatic pay- ment system. Considering Uber in terms of its ultimate goal and direction, it provides passenger transit in a novel way. It incentivizes ordinary automobile owners to transport passengers for a fee. 4 Uber explicitly states that it aims to transform the way that people commute: its website (www.uber.com) states that Uber wants to “make transportation as reliable as running water.” This ap- proach differs from the functional description of Uber as merely a technology firm which omits references to commuting or transportation (which Uber uses in court). Ordinary taxi enterprises argue that Uber is cheating in the customized pas- senger transit industry because it evades the laws and norms relevant to paid passenger transit. Uber, however, argues that it is not cheating because it is not a taxi enterprise, which means that the rules and regulations do not apply to it. Our analysis found that Uber is in the taxi matchmaking business in which, as yet, no relevant positive laws or norms exist, and that it relates to the regula- tory bodies distinct from ordinary taxis. However, Uber drivers do behave as though they are part of a passenger transit enterprise, although they do not consider themselves part of an enter- prise, despite the fact that they are driving passengers to destinations for fees, without enkaptic interlacement with Uber. The drivers incur costs and make investments (e.g., fuel), and they receive fees for the rides they provide, aiming to profit thereby and—in principle—act within the normative framework of a business practice. Apart from the fact that most Uber drivers are not registered as businesses, it is questionable whether all of the drivers comply with the guiding principle of the normative practice (frugality) because there is some question about the benefits of driving for Uber (Brown 2016). Uber drivers tend to forget that they should carefully calculate the costs, such as insurance, car amortization, fuel, maintenance, parking costs, and taxes. Calculating costs, 4 Uber states: “Across borders, cultures, and languages, we’re proud to connect people who need a reliable ride with people looking to earn money driving their cars” (“Finding the way. Creating possibilities for riders, drivers, and cities” 2017 ).
An Assessment of the Uber App’s Normative Practice 211 philosophia reformata 82 (2017) 192- benefits, and risks is a normative principle of any economically qualified busi- ness enterprise. However, some drivers are unaware of or misinformed on these matters, and they operate contrary to normative business principles. Although it might be unclear whether Uber drivers act according to the qualifying principle of a taxi enterprise, they do violate the legal principles of paid passenger transit that exist in many countries. Under that condition, Uber is a technology company that invites and enables illegal behaviors in the pas- senger transit industry. However, new companies such as Uber have pointed to overregulation of the passenger transit industry which seems to protect un- healthy monopolies in the industry rather than to safeguard values—e.g., the safety, transparency, fairness, and reliability of passenger transit. Therefore, regulators and policy makers should reconsider the current policies in light of evolving societal values; they should be open to technological developments, such as smartphone application-based enterprises, that support societal val- ues, and establish rules and regulations regarding technologies and enterprises that undermine values and norms. 5 Conclusion This paper first provided a historical perspective on the taxi industry and supported it with a pre-theoretical classification of types of taxi enterprises, including Uber. Second, we analyzed taxi enterprises in the scheme of nor- mative practice, with distinctions between structure and direction. The struc- tural analysis was further broken down by the analytical distinction between aspects, types (radical, genotypes, and phenotypes), and relationships (part- whole, enkaptic interlacements, and interlinkages). The analysis focused on the passenger transit industry in which various enti- ties interact. We found that transportation could occur for a variety of reasons qualified by the social aspect—e.g., socializing, employment, caregiving, and shopping. We further focused on enterprises that respond to these needs as business opportunities, so that scfs, mcfs, and ncfs all belong to the same radical type of enterprise and have in common that their primary function is economically qualified. The foundational functions of the genotypes differ in their character. The foundational functions of scfs and mcfs are in the for- mative aspect of maintaining and operating one or more vehicles and, in the case of the mcf, the drivers are either employees or contractually bound to the enterprise. The foundational function of the ncf is in the formative aspect of operating and maintaining an online communications platform. We named this communications platform the passenger feeding mechanism (pfm). For the mcf, the pfm plays a subservient role in the enkaptic relationship between
