The Handbook of the Sharing Economy: Should Europe regulate labor platforms in the sharing economy?

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Sharing’ is a misnomer when referring to activities frequently encountered
in the collaborative economy. Where physical work is performed, platforms are accused of exploitation of vulnerable groups disadvantaged by recession and austerity, to whom, however, they also offer a lifeline. The rhetoric of ‘Social Europe’ has too often been displaced by economic imperatives of growth and competitiveness. An opportunity may now be emerging for a more caring form of collaborative exchange in the field of labor responding to the ‘soft-power’ of the European Commission and to the self-interest of the platforms themselves.

Based on research between 2015 and 2018, this chapter reveals specific causes of concern in the so-called ‘sharing economy’ and identifies recent developments that might eventually transform ‘hyper-individualistic anomie’ (Wilson 2016) into good quality work without stifling flexibility and job creation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Handbook of the Sharing Economy
Subtitle of host publicationShould Europe regulate labor platforms in the sharing economy?
EditorsRussell Belk, Giana Eckhardt, Fleura Bardhi
Place of PublicationCheltenham, UK and Northampton MA, USA
PublisherEdward Elgar
Chapter19
Pages242-253
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)978788110549
ISBN (Print)9781788110532
Publication statusPublished - 25 Sept 2019

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