Dilemmas of defining the sharing economy

Abstract

As a combined effect of comprehensive technological, economic and social changes, we have seen in recent decades how consumer behaviour has changed. Due to increasing economic and social pressures, more and more people in developed societies are realising that their consumption patterns are not sustainable. They, therefore, question the emphasis on private property and their desire to accumulate goods. Instead of buying and owning products, they are increasingly willing and interested in sharing and leasing them. This process – called the “Sharing Turn” – has significant implications for the capitalist economy, as this new economic model represents a transition from traditional individual ownership of most assets to an accessibility-based economic model. However, the spread of sharing as a practice is not only based on changing consumer demand, but on a combination of social, economic and technological factors. We are witnessing the emergence and spread of a new type of sharing culture, a new socio-technological system. This economic technological phenomenon is called the Sharing Economy.

The Sharing Economy and related businesses and services are increasingly becoming part of everyday life. However, there is great uncertainty as to what the concept of the Sharing Economy is, what it already includes today and which services actually fall under the Sharing Economy concept. The term Sharing Economy is often used as an umbrella expression for all activities that have arisen as a result of recent technological change. However, this framework is too broad, and research calls for a more precise interpretation that identifies the technological, social and economic changes that underpin the concept of the Sharing Economy. However, as yet, there is no comprehensive and generally accepted definition in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to review the existing Sharing Economy definitions and conceptual issues and to identify the problems that may help demarcate the definition of the concept. In addition, we also show what framework we consider appropriate to allow for a useful interpretation of the Sharing Economy. The results should help to clarify the boundaries of the Sharing Economy and its enterprises in order to validly define the Sharing Economy as a category.