Digital ecosystems - A possible approach to defining the sharing economy

Abstract

The present study focuses on a phenomenon connected to the information age called
the sharing economy. This term lacks a clear deTnition due to its contested nature. In general,
these are online platforms where individuals can share their underutilised assets like cars or
properties with other individuals without a third party. Recently, this model can be found in all
parts of the globe regardless of the developmental level.

In general, the term connected to online platforms where individuals can share their underutilised assets like cars or properties with others. Numerous other contested term connected to the model such as peer-to-peer, on-demand or platform economy but I use the most widely used sharing economy in this article.

Numerous factors like the explosion of information and communication technologies,
economic crises and the critique of overconsumption led to the birth of this concept. This
revolutionary change has fundamentally transformed sectors like hospitality industry, tourism or mobility. Global players (Airbnb, Uber) transform markets and change how individuals can use
cities. The metropolitan areas are the main places of these shifts due to critical mass in the Trst
place. Numerous other contested terms are connected to the model (e. g. peer-to-peer, on-demand,
circular or platform economy). In this study, I use the most widely used term called sharing
economy to avoid confusion.
This study aims to identify the main elements of the trend. It provides a possible framework
for the academic Teld on the topic from various Telds. These four fundamental elements are the
following: peer-to-peer transactions (1), sharing idle resources (2), temporary access (3) and the
online platform as a facilitator (4). This framework also creates new questions about the term
which I list in this study. The main conclusion is that sharing economy as a complex ecosystem
can’t be described by one single definition. However, it is crucial to provide a basic framework for
the academic Teld and stakeholders to avoid challenges like widespread sharewashing or urban
conflicts between each player

The emergence of the sharing economy connected to diVerent elements is highlighted in
this paper as well. The technological aspects create new frameworks in geography as well. In the
first part of the paper, I list some signiTcant directions which try to unfold the spatial
consequences of Web2.0.. In the second part, I highlight the causes that contributed to the recent
popularity of sharing economy such as the phenomena of sharing turn or the Great depression in
2008. In the last section, I identify the four elements listed above, based on the literature review and
I highlight the main challenges that can occur in sharing economy based on the selected
definitions.