Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Analysing Sharing Economy Business Models – Intercultural Perspective

Abstract

In modern society sharing economy as a business and economy phenomenon and theoretical concept is more and more important. For a large number of consumers it occurs by using electronic applications organizing the sharing economy markets by linking tenderers and recipients. In practice, it is realized on local, national and global scale, but there is question if we are heading towards universal, global pattern of sharing economy business models or there are some cultural differences related to shared values determining the consumer behaviours. Besides the technological factors, like ICTs enabling consumers to share product and services, social factors become very important in creating value propositions for the customers. This is the key factor for developing business models based on sharing economy principles. The paper has two purposes: to investigate the differences between approaches to analysis and design sharing economy business models and to identify main factors stimulating consumers to take the advantages of sharing economy. To achieve the first purpose systematical literature analysis was implemented (both theoretical and practical approaches presented in the world literature). To achieve the second purpose the direct research of international students were conducted. The main research question referred to the main factors stimulating students to use sharing economy benefits. The limited number of students form different countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa studying at Silesian University of Technology take part in the research – pilot studies of the broader research on collaborative economy business models.