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Beyond Uncertainties in the Sharing Economy: Opportunities for Social Capital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Mariana Zuleta Ferrari
Mariana Zuleta Ferrari*
Affiliation:
Tilburg Law School, The Netherlands; University of Milan, Italy
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Abstract

The sharing economy phenomenon is expected to expand and grow steadily in the coming years. Yet, this sector lacks solid regulation, which raises concerns about its potential risks. However, users continue to engage in sharing economy practices, as opportunities appear to outweigh the perceived risks. This article argues that it is important to look beyond regulatory frameworks, and unravel the social embeddedness of sharing practices in order to provide complementary approaches to risk analysis. In particular, the focus of this article will be placed on the opportunities for building and deploying social capital in the sharing economy and its fundamental role in the development of new sharing economy practices.

Type
Special Issue on the Risks and Opportunities of the Sharing Economy
Information
European Journal of Risk Regulation , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , December 2016 , pp. 664 - 674
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016

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References

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85- See for instance North, supra, note 43. The author explains that individuals are not only moved by an utilitarian or wealthmaximizing behavior, but also out of altruism and internal norms. In addition, the choices are made based on subjective cognitive aspects based on incomplete information on the environment.

86- Coleman, supra, note 81, p. 305.

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99- Lin, supra, note 6, p. 217.

100- Ibid.

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108- This could be the case of local closed facebook groups, such as “CHEAP 2 CHEAP (reloaded)”, “CHEAP 2 CHEAP TIPS” and “CHEAP 2 CHEAP 2 ZN”.

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115- Ibid.

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117- Ibid, p13. Portes atributes the coining of this term to Mark Granovetter in Mark Granovetter, 1974 (Harvard University Press Getting a Job: A Study of Contacts and Careers).

118- Putnam, supra, note 92.

119- See for instance Muchnick, supra, note 98: the author describes how interaction with strangers renting through Airbnb makes participants happier. First, due to the fact that when meeting a stranger one tends to smile and make eye contact at the first encounter. Secondly, sometimes, sharing accommodation provides the opportunity to share more than this and give space for forging relationships.

120- Belk, supra, note 71, p. 1597.

121- Albinsson and Perera, supra, note 105, p. 308.

122- Belk, supra, note 111, p. 717.

123- Ranchordás, supra, note 2 at 416.

124- Belk, supra, note 71 at 1599.

125- Belk, supra, note 111 at 717.

126- Ibid, p. 717.

127- Ibid, p. 727.

128- Uphoff, Norman, ‘Understanding Social Capital: Learning from the Analysis and Experience of Participation’ in Dasgupta, Partha and Serageldin, Ismail (eds), Social Capital A Multifaceted Perspective (World Bank 2000) 219–221 Google Scholar.

129- Ibid.

130- Belk, supra, note 71.

131- Ibid.at 1596.

132- Ibid, p. 1596.

133- Ranchordás, supra, note 2.

134- Schor, supra, note 106.

135- For instance, see Muchnick, supra, note 98.

136- Belk, supra, note 111 at 716.

137- See the administrative and preparatory documents for transforming Milan into a sharing city: “Milano Comune di Milano, ‘Milano Smart City’ <http://www.milanosmartcity.org/> accessed 12 October 2016.

138- Belk, supra, note 111 at 730.

139- Schor, supra, note 106, p. 11.

140- See Lin, supra, note 6.

141- See for instance Schor, supra, note 105.

142- Albinsson and Perera, supra, note 113 at 312.

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