Regulating the Sharing Economy: Introduction to the Special Issue

Internet Policy Review 5(2)

15 Pages Posted: 14 Aug 2016

See all articles by Kris Erickson

Kris Erickson

University of Glasgow

Inge Sørensen

University of Glasgow - Centre for Cultural Policy Research

Date Written: July 28, 2016

Abstract

In this introductory essay, we explore definitions of the ‘sharing economy’, a concept indicating both social (relational, communitarian) and economic (allocative, profit-seeking) aspects which appear to be in tension. We suggest that the sharing economy can be defined by its common features of network enabled, aggregated membership in a pool of offers and demands (for goods, services, creative expressions). This definition of the sharing economy distinguishes it from other related peer-to-peer and collaborative forms of production. Understanding the social and economic motivations for and implications of participating in the sharing economy is important to its regulation. Each of the papers in this special issue contributes to knowledge by linking the social and economic aspects of sharing economy practices to regulatory norms and mechanisms. We conclude this introductory essay by suggesting future research to further clarify and render intelligible the sharing economy, not as a contradiction in terms but as an empirically observable realm of socio-economic activity.

Keywords: Sharing economy, gig economy, collaborative consumption, regulation, platforms, Uber, AirBnB

JEL Classification: P48, P32, O35, O38

Suggested Citation

Erickson, Kristofer and Sørensen, Inge, Regulating the Sharing Economy: Introduction to the Special Issue (July 28, 2016). Internet Policy Review 5(2), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2816335

Kristofer Erickson (Contact Author)

University of Glasgow ( email )

9 Professors' Square
Glasgow, G12 8QH
United Kingdom

Inge Sørensen

University of Glasgow - Centre for Cultural Policy Research ( email )

13, Professor Square
University of Glasgow
Glasgow
United Kingdom

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