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Abstract: The paper serves to discuss the evolution of platform business models in tourism, the dynamics of market concentration, and regulatory interventions. We present the historical timeline of digitalization in tourism distribution models, starting from the Global Distribution Systems (GDS), and continuing with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and their market concentration in the duopoly of Expedia Group versus Booking Holdings Group. We continue to discuss the slow, yet uncertain, breaking of the global duopoly in the travel platforms market. On the one hand, the duopoly is challenged from the “bottom up”, where Airbnb is the most successful example, riding on the wave of popularity of the ideals of the “sharing economy” and the aftermaths of the 2008 global financial crisis. On the other hand, the duopoly is challenged from the “top down”—the most powerful digital players have started to extend their operations to tourism. The second section of the paper identifies three current areas of platformization in tourism operations—distribution, promotion and HRM. We analyze available industry and public statistics indicators in Europe for each of the three dimensions. Finally, we discuss the regulatory responses to the market concentration of travel distribution platforms. Although the challenge of market concentration is a global issue, and the threats are the same in many countries, we limit the discussion of regulation to the European context. In conclusion we discuss the possibilities of future development, and point to the threat of the further acceleration and interconnection of platformization and market concentration in the travel business.
Keywords: travel platforms, market concentration regulation, online travel agencies, Global Distribution Systems, Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, Tripadvisor, Google Travel, algorithmic management
Published in DKUM: 14.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 10
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Abstract: Online games constitute an increasingly widespread activity that carries increased risks for players, especially minors. This study analyses the effectiveness of protecting online players' rights considering Portuguese legislation, which originates from the common European rules established for all Member States of the European Union. This study aims to characterise the Portuguese regulatory policy for games of chance, especially in the online gaming modality, its regulatory principles, its characteristics, and purposes, and to describe how it articulates with European recommendations. Based on this characterisation, this study analyses the effectiveness of compliance with the fundamental aspects of this regulatory policy by entities operating online gambling from the perspective of protecting the rights and duties of players, as enshrined. It concludes that some of these rights need to be sufficiently protected. The methodology includes analysing the websites of licensed entities and providing a questionnaire to young people who frequently play online. The study shows that the information on online gaming platforms reasonably complies with the current legal requirements and that players must be fully aware of all their rights. It also highlights that such rights are not fully protected in sensitive aspects.
Keywords: online gambling, public policy, regulation, players' rights and obligations, vulnerable online gamblers
Published in DKUM: 02.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 11
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Abstract: In crisis times, such as the recent health crisis brought out by the COVID-19 pandemic, society responds in a myriad of pro-social as well as negative, anti-social ways. The article starts by mentioning some broader social and regulatory responses to the pandemic that provided a backdrop to the studied phenomenon. It then looks explicitly at hate speech, unpacks the three-layered dimensions of its harmful consequences, helping to grasp the magnitude of harm caused by such pandemic-fuelled prejudice-based expression, and inspects the impact of the pandemic on such expression that is largely criminalised in Europe. The article concludes with some thoughts on the implications and lessons for the future.
Keywords: hate speech, pandemic, law, regulation, criminalisation, harm, offence
Published in DKUM: 28.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 9
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Abstract: Sleep, as the predominant behavioral state in newborns, especially in preterm infants, represents a key component for development. It is suggested that preterm children exhibit greater sleep difficulties compared to full-term children, as well as a disproportionately higher prevalence of emotional deficits. Due to the limited research on sleep and emotional functioning in the population of preterm children, particularly their in terconnections, the primary aim of this systematic literature review was to explore existing scientific research on sleep and emotional functioning in preterm children, with particular focus on emotional regulation. Additionally, we aimed to examine potential links between these two constructs in this population. As a secondary objective, the review also considered studies addressing any interventions related to sleep or emotional functioning in preterm children. The results of the systematic literature review did not allow for definite conclusions regarding sleep in preterm compared to full-term children from a qualitative perspective. On the other hand, an increased presence of emotional and behavioral difficulties in this population was clearly identified. An effective inter vention for regulating emotions and sleep was found to be the kangaroo care, as well when combined with music intervention. Breastfeeding also demonstrated positive effects on behavioral and emotional functioning. There appears to be a tendency for sleep problems to manifest more noticeably in late compared to early childhood. This finding highlighted the importance of long-term monitoring of this population through later childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood to better understand the long-term consequences of preterm birth on sleep and emotional functioning. Further research is essential for developing interventions that could mitigate or prevent long-term negative effects on sleep and emotional well-being associated with preterm birth.
Keywords: sleep, emotional functioning, emotion regulation, preterm children
Published in DKUM: 21.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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Abstract: Cohabitation is an institution of Slovenian family law quite similar in effect to marriage in that it creates the same rights and obligations. However, unlike marriage, its existence must be proved in each individual proceeding separately which creates difficulties, particularly in practice. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that the existence of cohabitation in the Slovenian Family Code is defined exclusively using rather vaguely defined legal standards. In this article, the author gives an overview of the current relevant case-law of Slovenian courts on cohabitation and discusses the possibilities for future legal regulation of the establishment of this community.
Keywords: cohabitation, family law, new regulation, case law, registration, notary
Published in DKUM: 13.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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