Digital Lifescapes

While traditionally sharing has been an activity between friends and family, the sharing of items as a business model is not in fact a new concept. Previously, we have seen the rise and fall of the loaning of some physical items (i.e. movies on DVD). However, with the introduction of new digital formats, alongside the rapid expansion of the online ecosystem, the sharing of not just physical goods, but also skills and talent, has grown exponentially. Today, the Sharing Economy includes numerous and varied service offerings and business models. Sharing Economy Market Development A new market study from Juniper Research has found that the sharing economy is now primed to experience substantial growth, as players in more established sectors -- such as transport and residential or commercial space -- press their first mover advantage. The market study findings have resulted in a forecast that the sharing economy will reach $40.2 billion in 2022, in terms of platform provider revenue...

Today, the sharing economy represents numerous and varied services and business models, which have branched from a core group of offerings. Ride-sharing services that utilize independent drivers -- such as Uber and Lyft -- are seeing significant returns from their ongoing market development strategies. These shared transport online platforms, who typically take 20 percent of driver earnings, will see their revenues grow from an estimated $3.3 billion in 2015 to reach $6.5 billion by 2020, according to the latest global market study by Juniper Research. Their worldwide study found that a combination of promotional incentives, flexible working hours, and new business models will potentially attract more new freelance drivers to these companies. Service Expansion to Drive Future Growth While Uber has struggled to gain a significant foothold in China -- apparently due to the dominance of Taxi hailing service Didi Kuaidi -- Uber is not without the determination and the means to forc...

Airbnb did it to the hospitality industry. Then, Uber did it to taxi services. Now driverless cars are going to totally disrupt the whole automotive industry, propelling car sharing services forward as the ultimate, mainstream transportation mode. This new car sharing economy is already well in motion. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, they are forecasting that 400 million people will rely on robotic car sharing by 2030. "The new car sharing economy happens in three phases: street rental service, ride sharing service, and robotic service," says Dominique Bonte, vice president at ABI Research . "The automotive industry is in the process of merging phases one and two, with robotic service to become the ultimate form of transportation for its availability, convenience, and affordability." The Sharing Economy in Action Zipcar, the world's largest car sharing and car club service, is a prime example of street rental service. Inte...