Tightening the Regulatory Grip: Local Regulatory Stringency and Sectoral Platform Regulation in EU Cities

Abstract

Platform companies like Uber and Airbnb are depicted as agile policy entrepreneurs who can navigate the boundaries of regulatory frameworks and manipulate regulations to their advantage; however, recent empirical studies suggest that their capacity to influence policy depends on the particular political and institutional context. This study investigates the evolving responses of local regulators to platform companies across 108 European cities between 2012 and 2022. Utilizing a regulatory stringency index, we assess how city governments have adjusted their regulations to counteract the growing influence of these platforms. Our research indicates a notable trend toward stricter regulatory measures, reflecting an increased determination among local authorities to enforce rules on platforms. We identify various patterns of regulatory change, which are shaped by sector‐specific dynamics and differing national and local contexts. By examining the regulatory dynamics over time, this paper contributes to the understanding of the relationship between platform power and local governance.