Key research themes
1. How do digital platform infrastructures and reputation systems enable the functioning and growth of peer-to-peer sharing markets?
This research theme analyzes the technological and economic mechanisms underpinning sharing economy platforms, focusing on how digital infrastructures, recommender systems, and reputation mechanisms mitigate market failures and enable large-scale peer-to-peer (P2P) asset sharing. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for explaining the emergence and operational efficiency of sharing economy platforms, such as Airbnb and Uber, as well as their impact on ownership and rental patterns.
2. What are the socio-economic impacts and institutional nature of the sharing economy as a transformative market and social phenomenon?
This theme investigates the sharing economy as an evolving institution influencing economic interactions, labor relations, and regulatory frameworks. It examines contrasting narratives about its nature—whether primarily a tool for economic opportunity, a social innovation fostering inclusivity and sustainability, or a driver of inequality and labor precarity. This area also discusses the implications for public policy, regulatory adaptation, and socio-economic outcomes across different contexts and regions.
3. How does participation in the sharing economy vary across demographic and regional contexts, and what implications arise for inclusivity and market development?
This theme explores how individual factors such as age, generational cohorts, geographic location, and local institutional conditions influence engagement with sharing economy platforms. It includes studies on internationalization patterns, digital divides, and platform adoption heterogeneity in both developed and developing economies, offering insights into accessibility, growth trajectories, and policy considerations for fostering equitable sharing economy participation.