economy to the Internet age, where networks have opened a new era of sharing. Sach
(2015) sees the sharing economy as an IT-driven phenomenon. While these views
attribute varying degrees of importance to Internet technology in the sharing economy, there is no doubt that the sharing economy supports it. Matzler et al. (2015)
claim that the Internet provides a convenient channel for sharing items, and development of social media on the Internet is stimulating the sharing economy.
According to Leismann et al. (2013), the spread of the Internet and the networking
opportunities it provides play an important role in changing consumption patterns.
Schor (2014) argues that from a technical point of view, complex software technology in the Internet age has reduced the high cost of traditional trading in the
distribution market, improved the transparency of transactions in a shared model,
and reduced the risk of trading with strangers. Undoubtedly, in a shared platform, the
basic premise is to use Internet technology to provide participants with the right
support to bring the masses together, promote growth, increase trust, and ensure
security. In the future, the evolution of technologies such as IOT, blockchain, and AI
will contribute significantly to the creation of more diverse sharing business models
and further development of the sharing economy.
13.4.3 A Finite Earth: Maximizing Resource Use
and Minimizing Environmental Impact
In literature on the sharing economy, many discuss the environmental impact of
sharing consumption. Thus far, most studies have argued that the sharing economy
contributes to energy savings, emission reductions, and green and low-carbon
development, though some have disagreed.
The mainstream view is that the sharing economy promotes green development.
For example, Rifkin (2015) argues that the sharing economy, which promotes a
switch in consumption from ownership to use rights, can significantly reduce sales of
new products and reduce resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. An
empirical analysis using car-sharing survey data by Belk (2014a, b) and Martin and
Shaheen (2011) shows that the average level of car use in North America and
Western Europe is only 8%. Vehicle sharing can help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by reducing vehicle purchases, delaying vehicle disposal, and reducing
vehicle fuel consumption. By shifting from owning things to using them to meet
needs, the sharing economy can reduce the burden of consumption and stimulate
long-term green changes in consumer behavior. In addition, centralized management
can be expected to improve environmental efficiency, including of energy, due to
increased ease of circulation, maintenance, and introduction of the best performing
products. In Shanghai, bicycle sharing reduced carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide
emissions by 25,000 and 64 tons, respectively, in 2016 (Zhang and Mi 2018).
Many researchers have questioned the ability of the sharing economy to promote
emissions reductions. Schor (2014), for example, argues that for most people, car
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(2015) sees the sharing economy as an IT-driven phenomenon. While these views
attribute varying degrees of importance to Internet technology in the sharing economy, there is no doubt that the sharing economy supports it. Matzler et al. (2015)
claim that the Internet provides a convenient channel for sharing items, and development of social media on the Internet is stimulating the sharing economy.
According to Leismann et al. (2013), the spread of the Internet and the networking
opportunities it provides play an important role in changing consumption patterns.
Schor (2014) argues that from a technical point of view, complex software technology in the Internet age has reduced the high cost of traditional trading in the
distribution market, improved the transparency of transactions in a shared model,
and reduced the risk of trading with strangers. Undoubtedly, in a shared platform, the
basic premise is to use Internet technology to provide participants with the right
support to bring the masses together, promote growth, increase trust, and ensure
security. In the future, the evolution of technologies such as IOT, blockchain, and AI
will contribute significantly to the creation of more diverse sharing business models
and further development of the sharing economy.
13.4.3 A Finite Earth: Maximizing Resource Use
and Minimizing Environmental Impact
In literature on the sharing economy, many discuss the environmental impact of
sharing consumption. Thus far, most studies have argued that the sharing economy
contributes to energy savings, emission reductions, and green and low-carbon
development, though some have disagreed.
The mainstream view is that the sharing economy promotes green development.
For example, Rifkin (2015) argues that the sharing economy, which promotes a
switch in consumption from ownership to use rights, can significantly reduce sales of
new products and reduce resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. An
empirical analysis using car-sharing survey data by Belk (2014a, b) and Martin and
Shaheen (2011) shows that the average level of car use in North America and
Western Europe is only 8%. Vehicle sharing can help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by reducing vehicle purchases, delaying vehicle disposal, and reducing
vehicle fuel consumption. By shifting from owning things to using them to meet
needs, the sharing economy can reduce the burden of consumption and stimulate
long-term green changes in consumer behavior. In addition, centralized management
can be expected to improve environmental efficiency, including of energy, due to
increased ease of circulation, maintenance, and introduction of the best performing
products. In Shanghai, bicycle sharing reduced carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide
emissions by 25,000 and 64 tons, respectively, in 2016 (Zhang and Mi 2018).
Many researchers have questioned the ability of the sharing economy to promote
emissions reductions. Schor (2014), for example, argues that for most people, car
260
X. Qian and W. Zhou