Economia dos intangíveis e empresas: externalidades, algoritmos e plataformas

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the phenomenon of companies, led by GAFAs - Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon -, which represent a new economic and social system emerging in the knowledge society, in the economy of intangibles. The theoretical framework presented the diversity and transversality of this theme in applied social sciences. It used the comparative analysis of financial data released periodically by 32 publicly traded companies, world leaders in various market segments. Data collection was done through the formal reports released by companies to the market available in the open database of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and used quali-quantitative methodology in the research procedure. The results point to evidence of the high financial leverage capacity of these companies, leading to a new economic and social cycle through a data-driven gear in the 21st century. The results made it possible to understand the ongoing social and economic transformation that institutionalizes new forms of consumption and work, in addition to new production processes and the generation of value in the economy of intangibles. Human interaction in the digital environment enhances platform capitalism in an era in which relationships take place through algorithms. Considering the limitations of the study, it is highlighted that the analysis of data contained in companies' financial reports can collaborate with exploratory studies of phenomena that involve Information Science.