The Sharing Economy: About Micro-Entrepreneurship and Givers’ (Financial) Motives

Vicky Franssen, Karijn Bonne, Nicky Malfliet, Christel De Maeyer and Marilyn Michels
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Vicky Franssen: Artevelde University College, Business Management, Ghent, Belgium
Karijn Bonne: Artevelde University College, Business Management, Ghent, Belgium
Nicky Malfliet: Artevelde University College, Graphic & Digital Media, Ghent, Belgium
Christel De Maeyer: Artevelde University College, Graphic & Digital Media, Ghent, Belgium
Marilyn Michels: Artevelde University College, Business Management, Ghent, Belgium

from University of Primorska Press

Abstract: Although there are many non-profit sharing initiatives (e.g. couch surfing, time banking or giveaway platforms) other sharing initiatives attract people to their platform exactly because they can earn an additional, a substantial or a necessary amount of money (e.g., 10 € per prepared dinner, 25- 250 € per night for a stay through Airbnb). These ‘Givers’ may be seen as micro-entrepreneurs and may pursue a (partial) revenue through the sharing platform. Gaining insight into their motives establishes the aim of this study. A survey of 203 Belgian Givers shows a predominance of prosocial motivations to enter sharing platforms as a Giver. Concern for the environment as well as social contacts and cohesion are important benefits, whereas economical gain is not. However, there is an interaction between ‘business’ orientation (profit versus non-profit platforms) and the Giver’s (financial) motives. Especially uncovered by extra in-depth interviews with Givers and platform owners, it seems that financial and convenience issues do play a role for prosumers. Finally, only some interviewees considered their participation as a try-out to build a business (e.g., to become a professional cook), whether within or outside the platform. This research gives insight into the motives for Givers to engage in sharing initiatives, which could be used to recruit new Givers as clients of the digital platforms.

Keywords: sharing economy; sharing platform; micro-entrepreneurship; sharing motivations; financial motives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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