Continuity and Preference of Ride-Sharing Service in Bangladesh: A Cultural Analysis
Samiha Anwar | Arko Halder
Discipline: Development Studies
Abstract:
This study investigates the proliferation of app-based ride-hailing
services within the urban transportation systems of Bangladesh, with a
particular focus on socio-cultural assimilation and growing prominence.
The primary objective of this research is to analyze the current dynamics
of ride-sharing services in Dhaka and Chattogram, identifying the
underlying factors that have contributed to their widespread adoption. It
is done by qualitative data from interviews with 20 regular users in
Dhaka and Chattogram. Empirical findings reveal that the preference for
such services is predominantly driven by considerations of comfort,
perceived safety, user convenience, and the potential for supplementary
income. The analysis is done within the theoretical paradigm, employing
Jan Nederveen Pieterse’s theory of Globalization as Hybridization, John
Storey’s discourse on Popular Culture, and Frederic Jameson’s critique of
Consumerism. Through this lens, the research demonstrates that while
the concept of ride-sharing is rooted in Western socio-economic contexts,
its localization in Bangladesh has led to the emergence of a hybridized
cultural practice. Moreover, the study reveals that ride-sharing services
have transcended their functional role, evolving into a significant facet of
contemporary popular culture within urban Bangladesh. This
transformation is further illustrated through the theoretical construct of
consumerism, which elucidates the appeal of such services to the modern
urban middle class. The paper not only underscores the cultural and
economic factors contributing to the rise of ride-sharing platforms but
also offers recommendations for their sustainable development and
potential future expansion within the Bangladeshi context.
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