The rise of peer-to-peer exchange
Across a wide spectrum of domains we are witnessing a shift away from the exclusive consumption of resources and ownership to the one of shared consumption and use. This shift benefits from innovative, new forms of voluntary peer-to-peer sharing that is facilitated by internet-based mediation platforms and exchange markets. Presently flourishing part of the world’s economy deals with digitally facilitated peer-to-peer exchange. In recent years this form of exchange has expanded dramatically, moving beyond simple free file exchange and retailing to human-intensive, personal services such as city-to-city and urban transportation, hosted accommodation, neighborhood logistics, equity crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, and decentralized manufacture.
Sources:
1. Benjaafar, S., Kong, G., Li, X., & Courcoubetis, C. (2018). Peer-to-peer product sharing: Implications for ownership, usage, and social welfare in the sharing economy. Management Science, 65(2), 477–493.
2. Cohen, M., & Sundararajan, A. (2015). Self-regulation and innovation in the peer-to-peer sharing economy. U. Chi. L. Rev. Dialogue, 82, 116.
