The sharing economy – logistics services – economic growth

Abstract

The development of digitization and information technologies is a mega trend that drives the development of the sharing economy. In analyzing the essence of the sharing economy, one needs to consider the economic factors, i.e. demand and supply of services/products/resources, the labour market as well as social factors related to building social capital. The sharing economy allows the allocation of resources in the economy as well as the creation of a scope for economic growth without a need to generate new input resources. From the economic development perspective it applies to 3 business models: C2C, B2B and B2C. It also increases the significance of the pro-consumer model, which implies the improvement of the consumers’ well-being. The purpose of the article is to characterise the phenomenon of the sharing economy, which links traditional economic activities with services stimulated by digital platforms as well as by social media, which in turn creates suitable conditions for the development of new forms of labour and cooperation. The article attempts to assess the readiness of companies in the SME sector to take actions and benefit from this form of cooperation. It also emphasizes the influence of socio-economic and technological determinants on the development of the sharing economy. Additionally, the article presents some examples related to the provision and use of the resources of other entities in the logistic services sector. The research method involved literature studies and the author’s own research, based on a diagnostic survey method using an in-depth interview tool. The managers of transport companies based in the Lodz region participated in the study.