The main aims of this paper are to examine the technological trajectories of city innovation, to provide a picture of the current state in the most significant technologies, and to propose an explanation for the long-run evolutionary trajectories of technological developments that contribute to the quality of urban life through innovation. In the conceptual part of the paper, we develop the argument that the explanation may rest on the interrelationships between the concept of urban transformative capacity and the theory of path dependence. In the empirical part, we analyze patent data on city-related innovations to examine the trajectories of technological developments over the period 1980–2020. Our main findings at a technological field level (i) confirm the path dependence theory in general and the institutional approach in particular, (ii) acknowledge the rapid transformation towards ‘smart cities’ through the explosive growth of digital technologies, and (iii) confirm the environmental sustainability concerns when developing new technologies. In our study, we focus particularly on the technological sectors (‘clusters’) that provide a significant contribution to quality of urban life, namely environment, public services, and leisure and participation. Our findings provide theoretical, managerial, and policy implications for future research activities on the technological developments that benefit quality of urban life.

Purpose: This paper aims at understanding the differences between user profiles in collaborative consumption (CC) platforms in order to improve their management approaches and set up customized strategies. Particularly, the authors investigate the emerging role of prosumers and their influence on the active participation and growth of CC platforms. Moreover, the authors study user experience to help promoting users' recommendation and offering intention. Design/methodology/approach: The sample includes responses from 6,388 users of CC platforms across the EU. The data were collected through the European Commission's Flash Eurobarometer survey 467 and analyzed through a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Findings: The PLS-SEM findings suggest that prosumers are more likely than consumers to recommend and offer services through CC platforms. Furthermore, previous experience using platforms positively affects the switch from consumers to prosumers. The fsQCA suggests that only economic advantages affect the switchover decision. Research limitations/implications: This study deepens the hitherto unexplored prosumer role in CC platforms and its antecedents and drivers. Practical implications: The main limitations concern the generalizability outside of the EU, the unbalanced coverage of sectors and the number of moderator variables. Social implications: Prosumers act as golden actors because they contribute to enlarge both the customer base (through recommendations) and the provider base (through offering intention). Hence, managers should focus on prosumers' experiences to increase the critical mass and positive externalities of CC platforms. Originality/value: This study helps understand the importance of the role of prosumers in the growth of CC platforms. The study provides more robust results through a cross-country and mixed-method research.

The study of happiness in economics has started to gain considerable momentum. Social policy factors are currently being recognized as determinants of national competitiveness, while innovation is an important factor to ensure economic growth and societal well-being. In order to shed light on the complex relationship between innovation performance and societal happiness, an examination was conducted in 130 countries that covered observations from 2011 to 2022. The analysis aims to uncover the degree to which these two dimensions are interconnected and to discern whether one may be identified as the causal factor of the other. The results derived from the SGMM regressions reveal that spaces characterized by elevated levels of innovation also tend to exhibit correspondingly higher indicators of resident happiness. Notably, this relationship is particularly pronounced in countries with observed real income per capita. Consequently, this study supports the hypothesis that innovation fosters improvements in resident well-being, despite ongoing debates. In light of these results, understanding the positive association between innovation and happiness has significant policy implications for fostering economic growth and enhancing quality of life on a national scale.

Digital platforms currently form the cornerstone of what is referred to as 'platform economics,' progressively assuming a central role in the city's economy, experiential landscape, and governance. On-demand platforms play a pivotal role in elevating the level of digital sophistication among citizens. This article extends the current research on on-demand service markets, aiming to cultivate an understanding of this nascent domain of digital platform business within the broader framework of the smart city. In the first section, we delve into various concepts related to on-demand service markets, outlining their distinctive features in comparison to traditional service markets, and elucidating the principal components of the on-demand digital platform economy. The second part of this paper employs bibliometric analysis to unveil, among other insights, emerging areas of interest, key works, and influential researchers in the field, as well as the countries and institutions where research on on-demand service markets is most advanced. This research endeavour may lay the foundation for the development of a theory pertaining to the provision of on-demand services within the context of the platform economy. Finally, the research extensively discusses regulatory challenges and public policy implications in the context of on-demand platforms, with a focus on worker protection, algorithmic transparency, and data security.