“…refers collectively to websites that allow users to contribute content
and connectwith each other” (Carroll & Romano, 2011, p. 190). This is in
contrast toWeb 1.0which primarily involved one-directional provision
of information to consumerswho did not interact or respond to theweb
site or to one another.
In this paper I seek to assess the similarities and differences between
sharing and collaborative consumption, examine the extent to which various
parts of the “sharing economy” truly involve sharing, and explainwhy
these developments have stirred somuch attention at this particular time.
I further consider the degree to which they challenge traditional business
models and the dangers and opportunities theymay provide for business.
For consumers, I consider how emerging ways of accessing possessions
without ownership may influence our sense of self.