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The sustainability paradox of the sharing economy

Author

Listed:
  • Hans Verboven

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Lise Vanherck

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

The positive effects of new ‘sustainable’ business models, e. g. the sharing economy business model, are well-documented and widely acclaimed. However, these sustainable models also have unintended negative side-effects that are less visible and often ignored. In this article we describe these unintended side-effects as the sustainability paradox. We will discuss the negative externalities of sharing economy business models by comparing them to the characteristics of a sustainable economy model. Furthermore, we will propose a brief and simple checklist or framework for quick identification of sustainable business models. This framework can facilitate the top-down implementation of legislative measures and the bottom-up prevention of negative externalities of sharing economy initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans Verboven & Lise Vanherck, 2016. "The sustainability paradox of the sharing economy," Sustainability Nexus Forum, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 303-314, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sumafo:v:24:y:2016:i:4:d:10.1007_s00550-016-0410-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s00550-016-0410-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin, Chris J., 2016. "The sharing economy: A pathway to sustainability or a nightmarish form of neoliberal capitalism?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 149-159.
    2. Sanne, Christer, 2000. "Dealing with environmental savings in a dynamical economy-how to stop chasing your tail in the pursuit of sustainability," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(6-7), pages 487-495, June.
    3. Sorrell, Steve & Dimitropoulos, John & Sommerville, Matt, 2009. "Empirical estimates of the direct rebound effect: A review," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 1356-1371, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Emmanuelle Reuter, 2022. "Hybrid business models in the sharing economy: The role of business model design for managing the environmental paradox," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 603-618, February.
    2. Rita Henriques & Filipa Figueiredo & João Nunes, 2023. "Consumers’ Perspectives on Circular Economy: Main Tendencies for Market Valorization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-26, September.
    3. André, Francisco J. & Arguedas, Carmen & Rousseau, Sandra, 2024. "Strategic pricing, lifespan choices and environmental implications of peer-to-peer sharing," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    4. Emma Johnson & Andrius Plepys, 2021. "Product-Service Systems and Sustainability: Analysing the Environmental Impacts of Rental Clothing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-29, February.
    5. Xufeng Liu & Hongmin Chen, 2020. "Sharing Economy: Promote Its Potential to Sustainability by Regulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, January.
    6. Lucie Enochsson & Yuliya Voytenko Palgan & Andrius Plepys & Oksana Mont, 2021. "Impacts of the Sharing Economy on Urban Sustainability: The Perceptions of Municipal Governments and Sharing Organisations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-31, April.
    7. Susanne Pankov & Vivek K. Velamuri & Dirk Schneckenberg, 2021. "Towards sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems: examining the effect of contextual factors on sustainable entrepreneurial activities in the sharing economy," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1073-1095, February.
    8. Tomasz Surmacz & Bogdan Wierzbiński & Wiesława Kuźniar & Lucyna Witek, 2024. "Towards Sustainable Consumption: Generation Z’s Views on Ownership and Access in the Sharing Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-23, July.
    9. Martin Ritter & Heiner Schanz, 2021. "Carsharing Business Models’ Strategizing Mindsets Regarding Environmental Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-18, November.
    10. Meisam Ranjbari & Gustavo Morales-Alonso & Ruth Carrasco-Gallego, 2018. "Conceptualizing the Sharing Economy through Presenting a Comprehensive Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-24, July.
    11. Chiappetta Jabbour, Charbel Jose & De Camargo Fiorini, Paula & Wong, Christina W.Y. & Jugend, Daniel & Lopes De Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Roman Pais Seles, Bruno Michel & Paula Pinheiro, Marco Anto, 2020. "First-mover firms in the transition towards the sharing economy in metallic natural resource-intensive industries: Implications for the circular economy and emerging industry 4.0 technologies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    12. María Garrido-Ruso & Beatriz Aibar-Guzmán & Albertina Paula Monteiro, 2022. "Businesses’ Role in the Fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-35, July.

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