Title: The shareconomy as a precursor for digital entrepreneurship business models

Authors: Chris Richter; Sascha Kraus; Pasi Syrjä

Addresses: Lappeenranta University of Technology, School of Business, Skinnarilankatu 34, FI-53850, Lappeenranta, Finland ' University of Liechtenstein, Institute for Entrepreneurship, Fürst-Franz-Josef-Strasse, FL-9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein ' Lappeenranta University of Technology, School of Business, Skinnarilankatu 34, FI-53850, Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: Shareconomy is a budding field of science and deals with the new movement of sharing goods with others instead of buying them. The three dimensions of shareconomy are sharing of digital content; sharing of physical goods; and the participation in commercial, cultural, and social projects. So far, the connection between the up-and-coming field of shareconomy and entrepreneurship has not been scientifically proven. This paper aims to remedy this research gap. Its content is based on a comprehensive literature analysis of scientific publications on the topic of shareconomy from the period 2000 to 2014 and delivers a new definition, concrete application examples, and recommendations for future implementation by entrepreneurs. Shareconomy is a future science field with the potential to change the behaviour of consumption, and therefore requires extensive further research.

Keywords: shareconomy; definitions; smart cities; digital entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; business models; goods sharing; literature review; digital content; physical goods; commercial projects; cultural projects; social projects; consumption behaviour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2015.068773

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2015 Vol.25 No.1, pp.18 - 35

Received: 08 Feb 2014
Accepted: 29 Sep 2014
Published online: 12 Apr 2015 *

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