top of page
Writer's pictureSarah Callista

This Is Revolutionary Access: The Shared Economy as a Social Enterprise



“Sharing is caring.”


Just like this quote, our world is always hustling for improvement. Within this context, the ‘shared economy’ pops up as a peer-to-peer (P2P) model that makes getting, giving or the sharing of access to goods and services super easy. In fact, this concept started back in 1995 with eBay leading the way, bringing the earlier saying into fruition! Nowadays, we have a new wave of companies, using web-based platforms to create innovative connections within the economy. Have you ever heard of Airbnb, connecting renters to rooms, or Lyft, turning everyday cars into convenient rides? Industry giants like them are actually made through the sharing economy, whether it’s “sharing”, “renting” or “borrowing”. 


This concept of sharing has totally revolutionised our lives in various ways, from how we get to work to where we stay on vacation to even how businesses operate. But it’s not just that - it has reshaped our idea of leadership, moving from old-school hierarchies to collaborative, creative setups. In this new ecosystem, value is derived from ideas rather than individuals, focusing on access over ownership -  basically, use what you need, when you need it and then move on to the next task. This approach has yielded several impacts across three types of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bringing social, environmental, and economic benefits. 


What if we took the sharing economy and turned it into a social enterprise? Social enterprises aim to generate profits whilst also benefiting society and the environment. This shift could be a game-changer, using shared access to essential services and resources to aid underserved communities, bridging economic gaps and boosting social equity. Think about it: transportation sharing platforms could greatly assist individuals in areas with limited public transportation. Moreover, social enterprises could incorporate knowledge and skill development into their platforms. Imagine a social platform tailored to connect unemployed folks, particularly those from marginalised communities, with opportunities to training programs. It’s a vision worth exploring! 


Through this, we can dissect the collaborative networks of social enterprises & the sharing economy into three key platforms: production, consumption and redistribution, which are also known as innovative ICT-based sharing platforms. 


Firstly, collaborative production. This is peer production using the internet’s collaborative potential to engage a large number of individuals in creating content or products. 


Secondly, collaborative consumption - sharing or accessing goods and services through community-based online platforms. 


Did you know that everytime you donate to a charity, you are technically participating in the sharing economy? This falls under collaborative redistribution! It consists of transferring wealth between groups through social sharing mechanisms like donations or charity. 


Let’s explore three examples of each collaborative network. An excellent display of collaborative production is OpenIDEO, a platform that facilitates collaborative problem solving. They bring together a global community of designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, etc to work on positive solutions towards challenges for social and environmental issues. 


In terms of collaborative consumption: this can be shown through the poster children of the sharing economy like Uber & Airbnb. Yet, EatWith offers a unique twist, letting local hosts earn income by sharing their culinary skills and cultural heritage with visitors. Yum, bonding over food! 


Finally, in Collaborative Redistribution, check out Bigwalk, a Korean social venture startup encouraging users to walk via a GPS-based app, gathering donations for every step taken. Every 10 million walks resulted in 1 Korean won donated to support disabled children. 


All-in-all, integrating the sharing economy with more social enterprises, enhances the potential for a greater impact. As we reflect on the sharing economy's journey, it serves as a reminder that innovation is the calling card of the future. 



Bibliography: 

0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page