Types of collaborative economy
Depending on the relationship established between the participants in the exchanges, we can talk about different types:
What is the collaborative economy?
Sharing to be more sustainable
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The movement of people and goods within large cities is one of the main challenges of the sustainable cities of the future. As a result, both the administration and the industrial sector have focused their efforts on developing services that promote sustainable mobility and reduce traffic jams, traffic, and pollution in city centers. WiBLE, Repsol’s carsharing is a perfect example of collaborative economy, which is committed to shared mobility as a solution to reducing emissions, but there are many more.
Definition of collaborative economy
The collaborative economy consists of sharing goods or services in exchange for a pre-agreed compensation, financial or otherwise.
In this sense, an action as simple as bartering can also be an essential part of the collaborative economy. That's why it's often referred to as the “sharing economy.” New technologies are driving this sustainable development model. Previously, we could only use our immediate environment, but thanks to the internet, it's now much easier to connect with people anywhere on the planet.
Types of collaborative economy
Depending on the relationship established between the participants in the exchanges, we can talk about different types:
Collaborative consumption
Consumption model based on the exchange, rental, or shared use of goods or services among different users such as carsharing or the vacation rentals.
Collaborative production
It consists of the interaction between different people to implement a project usually through shared areas, either virtual or physical, such as coworking spaces.
Collaborative finance
The best known example is crowdfunding, in which different people or entities make monetary contributions so that an initiative can be launched.
Open knowledge
Refers to non-profit knowledge dissemination platforms such as open online courses, publicly accessible online encyclopedias or free virtual archives.
Examples of collaborative economy
Transportation
Among the best-known examples is carsharing, which allows you to use a car whenever you need it, and you only have to pay for the time you use the vehicle. Users can this way save on the maintenance of a private car and congestion in the city is reduced.
Finances
Several economic platforms allow the collective financing of certain projects in exchange for “rewards” for the patrons, which vary according to the amount they contribute.
Tourism
In this field, we find websites where individuals rent out houses, apartments, or rooms they're not using, so other people can temporarily stay there during their vacation.
Work
Collaborative work platforms allow freelance workers to offer their services remotely to companies around the world, as well as companies and individuals to expose their needs and budget, so professionals can contact them.
Crafts and antiques
Online marketplaces can boost the work of small-business artisans, who can offer all kinds of unique products for sale online such as handmade objects or vintage products.
Buying, selling, and exchanging
Both in Spain and internationally, there are many applications for selling and buying pre-owned objects between individuals, but it's also possible to buy a vehicle, look for a house to rent or hire a service, among others.
Benefits and advantages of the collaborative economy
This model of economy entails numerous advantages. We can highlight the following:
Is there a link between the collaborative economy and the circular economy?
Repsol and the collaborative economy