What exactly is the
sharing economy?
Today, there is a mobile application that
allows registered car owners share rides
to specific destination in exchange for
payment and companionship for the
otherwise empty seats. Upon arrival at
the destination, the driver opens another
app to check for parking space availability
from other users who own unused car
spaces at that location the driver pays a
small fee to park his car on a busy street. A
win-win situation resulting in less cars on
the road at a time, less congested traffic,
and a decline in carbon emissions due to
reduced number of automobiles on the
road, thanks to the ride-share. In addition,
as extra income is made by the owners,
economic empowerment is achieved. This
implies you have been able to earn extra
income and promote a safer and greener
environment.
The Sharing Concept: Optimisation over Multiplication
The illustration above is what the sharing
economy is all about. The model uses
digital platforms to allow users have
access to, rather than own, tangible
and intangible assets. At this point, a
convergence of social and individual gains
is achieved.
The word “sharing” in itself, is not
strange to the human nature. The act of
sharing has remained a strong pillar to the
survival of humanity from the primitive
days of trade by barter to the evolution
of currency in trading. This concept seeks
to instigate a shift from multiplication to
optimization of assets in every sphere of
life.
Today, there are different components
under the sharing economy umbrella;
access economy, peer to peer economy,
collaborative economy, and the gig
economy. This article will focus on
exploring the tenets of the gig economy.
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