1. The Conceptualization of the Sharing Economy as a Business Model
- Author
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Siuskaite, Donata, Pilinkienė, Vaida, Žvirdauskas, Dainius, and Kauno technologijos universitetas
- Subjects
Economics and Econometrics ,Conceptualization ,Poverty ,05 social sciences ,sharing economy ,digital platforms ,users, peer-to-peer ,Scientific literature ,Business model ,collaborative economy ,Variety (cybernetics) ,Globalization ,Sharing economy ,business model ,Phenomenon ,0502 economics and business ,050211 marketing ,Business ,Business and International Management ,Engineering (miscellaneous) ,050203 business & management ,Industrial organization - Abstract
The paper analyses the recently emerged and rapidly growing phenomenon of sharing economy. The assessment of an extensive amount of publications issued by Lithuanian and foreign researchers has revealed the problem that in most cases a simplified business model is still being applied to all sharing economy initiatives despite of their evident differences. The use of abstraction method, systematic approach and comparative research enabled the authors to examine the formation and disclosure of different sharing economy definitions and provide a revised one as well as to establish the chronological process of the development of the phenomenon. Moreover, the research also presents the peculiarities of the sharing economy as a new business model by highlighting its characteristics and dimensions and emphasizing the social, economic and ecological key factors and the main drivers such as monetization of excess or unused assets, increasing financial flexibility, the impact of venture capital, access over ownership, increasing urbanization etc. The outcome of this research is the conceptual sharing economy business model that allows not only to understand the functioning of the sharing economy better but also to grasp the differences of already existing initiatives and to find opportunities to create new ones. This may help for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers not only guide future research and policy intervention but also find valuable insights for sharing economy business models development and better foreseen the results of this phenomena.
- Published
- 2019