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This paper aims to investigate the ethical challenges within same-day delivery (SDD) operations in the gig economy, focusing on promoting fairness and justice for independent contractors by applying Rawlsian justice principles.

Adopting a philosophical and theoretical methodology, the authors synthesize insights from business ethics, corporate governance and Rawlsian ethical theories. This study critically examines the application of these theories within SDD business models through a comparative analysis of seminal and contemporary ethical discussions. Importantly, the authors reverse the traditional antecedents, decisions and outcomes framework to start with outcomes, offering a novel methodological execution that enhances the study’s approach to ethical research.

The analysis identifies pronounced ethical deficiencies in treating SDD contractors, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms. The study proposes a series of hypotheses to rectify these issues, including recommendations for enhancing algorithmic transparency, ensuring equitable compensation and fortifying worker protections. These proposed changes advocate for restructuring corporate policies to foster a fairer SDD business environment.

By interweaving Rawlsian ethical principles with practical corporate responsibilities specific to the gig economy, this paper enriches the discourse on business ethics. It introduces a novel framework for analyzing the ethical treatment of gig workers, proposing actionable strategies that bridge theoretical ethics with real-world applications. This approach advances academic understanding and guides industry practices toward more ethical and sustainable models.

This study explores young consumers' motivations for purchasing Virtual Luxury Non-Fungible Token Wearables (VL-NFTs) from luxury brands, which are virtually crafted luxury wearables minted as blockchain-based NFTs. Specifically, it investigates the relationships among consumers' perceived value of VL-NFTs, engagement with NFTs and purchase intention and the mediating effect of consumer engagement with NFTs.

Data were collected via an online survey of 504 young US consumers who had previously considered purchasing luxury fashion products and NFTs. Structural equation modelling was adopted for analysis.

Perceived economic, functional (uniqueness) and experiential (self-directed pleasure and affiliation) values of VL-NFTs directly influenced consumers' purchase intention. While symbolic value (self-presentation and conspicuousness) did not significantly influence purchase intention, it facilitated consumer engagement with NFTs. Moreover, consumer engagement mediated the relationship between economic and functional values and purchase intention.

The sample was only comprised of young consumers, limiting the generalizability. Additionally, consumers may perceive VL-NFTs differently because of differences in past experiences and the varying VL-NFT types, necessitating further investigation on consumers' motivations across different types of VL-NFTs.

This study contributes to the existing literature by examining the importance of multifaceted perceived-value dimensions and engagement with NFTs in consumers' motivation for purchasing VL-NFTs through the lens of the customer value framework.

This chapter examines the insider–outsider dynamics shaping Web3 technologies as they navigate entrepreneurial ecosystems and the technology diffusion process. It establishes insiders as the developers, founders, and investor communities driving Web3 innovation, often operating in regulatory grey zones with a techno-solutionist mindset. In contrast, outsiders include institutions, policymakers, and the broader public reacting to Web3’s experimental nature and socio-technical novelty. The chapter situates Web3 within frameworks of technology adoption, socio-technical imaginaries, and models of diffusion. It highlights the tendency of insiders to overlook social nuances while pursuing rapid commercialisation and adoption. The chapter presents two case studies: the first examines the regulatory friction encountered by Ripple Labs and its digital asset, XRP; the second chronicles the rise and fall of Art NFTs, from their promise of empowering artists to their eventual decline due to legal uncertainties, environmental concerns, scams, and clashing community values. This decline mapped onto public disillusionment with the technology despite, and perhaps because of, its utopian techno-libertarian premise. The chapter argues that Web3 must navigate complex insider–outsider tensions while introducing disruptive innovations within existing socioeconomic structures. It concludes with policy recommendations spanning regulatory frameworks, consumer protection, responsible innovation, and public education to foster a more balanced and sustainable Web3 ecosystem.

This article combines 530 digitized Franchise Disclosure Documents and standard contracts with employer-identified job ads from Burning Glass Technologies to establish stylized facts about franchising labor markets and their relation to the vertical restraints and contractual provisions that limit the autonomy of franchisees vis a vis their franchisors. We report novel findings about the application of vertical restraints like Resale Price Maintenance, Exclusive Dealing, and No-poaching Restrictions, among many others, to a low wage workforce. A legal regime that favors the franchising business model incentivizes franchisees to profit at the expense of workers and to limit egalitarian tendencies operating in the workplace.