Characteristics of BlaBlaCar as one of the world’s ridesharing leaders

Abstract

The article addresses one of the relevant global trends – the sharing economy or participation economy. The authors explore its features and benefits (time and resources saving, rational consumption, use of communication technologies etc.). The publication considers the driving forces, namely peering social networks, real-time technologies, the global economic crisis, environmental issues and a renewed belief in the importance of communities. The authors argue that BlaBlaCar is one of the world leading online ridesharing platforms. The article defines the essence of BlaBlaCar as a new model of shared consumption tracing the history of its inception and development. The authors examine characteristics and peculiarities of BlaBlaCar in terms of a modern information network; reveal the behavioral traits of BlaBlaCar users worldwide and in Ukraine. The article attempts to anticipate the prospects of BlaBlaCar development.