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How Europe manages the sharing economy

EUobserver's 2017 edition of its Business in Europe magazine takes a closer look at the the sharing economy.

EUobserver's 2017 edition of its Business in Europe magazine takes a closer look at the the sharing economy.

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For Airbnb, which allows its users to sell temporary<br />

accommodation, and Uber, which allows its users to<br />

sell rides, it is a gift from public relations heaven to<br />

be categorised as part of <strong>the</strong> <strong>sharing</strong> <strong>economy</strong>.<br />

connotation, more and more companies have started<br />

<br />

said a report by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an Commission's inhouse<br />

think tank, <strong>the</strong> Joint Research Centre (JRC).<br />

It allows <strong>the</strong>m to pursue <strong>the</strong>ir core goal – making a<br />

<br />

beneath a thin veil of altruism.<br />

“Because <strong>sharing</strong> has a positive and progressive<br />

It noted that while many policymakers and media<br />

outlets – including this magazine – have a sense<br />

that <strong>the</strong> <strong>sharing</strong> <strong>economy</strong> is a trend worth watching,<br />

it is not clear that everyone is talking about <strong>the</strong> same<br />

thing.<br />

<br />

<br />

Photo: <strong>Europe</strong>an Commission<br />

The JRC conducted an extensive literature review,<br />

which was published last year. The JRC called <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>sharing</strong> <strong>economy</strong> a “broad umbrella term” for which<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

is worth, even though several reports have tried to<br />

do so.<br />

and inconclusive - in many cases, it is simply<br />

anecdotal and often presented by stakeholders in<br />

<strong>the</strong> current controversies,” <strong>the</strong> JRC said.<br />

The EU-funded scientists wrote that while Uber<br />

and Airbnb have released dozens of reports, <strong>the</strong><br />

methodologies of <strong>the</strong> companies' research is<br />

<br />

impossible.<br />

“Available empirical evidence to date is very partial<br />

SHARING ECONOMY & EUROPE MAY 2017— 05

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