Abstract

The sharing economy is booming. The authors of this anthology examine the motives, attitudes and effects of this new digital culture of sharing and show its potential for sustainable economic activity. They shed light on innovative online platforms of peer-to-peer sharing, which range from socially oriented initiatives to globally operating intermediary companies. They address the disruptive effects of the new business models and for the first time provide comprehensive data on the environmental impacts of the sharing economy. Finally, they discuss the framework conditions that can promote a sustainable sharing economy.