As the introduction of music streaming platforms (MSP) has remedied the music industry’s diminishing revenues, certain ethical concerns have risen in relation to MSPs. The growth in digital music consumption has been followed by concerns regarding fair compensation for artists, with current MSP models often benefitting popular artists at the expense of their smaller counterparts. This thesis examines users’ perception of artist remuneration on MSPs, focusing on two compensation models – pro-rata and user-centric – and evaluating user under-standing and attitudes toward these models.
A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with active MSP users was conducted. The research highlighted a gap in user awareness regarding remuneration practices and the ethical issues in the current revenue-sharing mechanisms, as the findings indicate that while users value fairness and express support for equitable artist compensation, tangible platform features tend to overshadow ethical considerations in their platform choices. Users’ interest in ethical concerns grew, when they were provided with information on how their listening habits directly impact artist income, suggesting that ethical transparency may influence user behaviour.
The thesis contributes to the field of ethical consumption and digital fairness by researching artist compensation on MSPs. Managerial implications suggest that MSPs could consider ethical branding, education campaigns, and subscription tiers that emphasise fair remuneration. The study highlights platform comparisons, longitudinal studies, and implications of regulation as topics for future research.
