The B2B Sharing Economy: Framework, Implications, and Future Research

  • Sabine Benoit*
  • , Katrin Merfeld
  • , Vivian S. C. Tunn
  • , Tobias Schäfers
  • , Tor Wallin Andreassen
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

The sharing economy (SE) has disrupted several sectors. Thus far, this has mainly occurred in consumer markets. Research has therefore focused on these sectors, leaving a research gap regarding the emergence of the SE in business-to-business (B2B) markets. We address this gap by first developing a literature-based framework defining the B2B SE as a service system composed of at least three actors (triadic + ), including an asset-light, intermediating platform that links at least two organizations, with one paying for temporary access to a physical asset from the other organization, for which granting this access is an ancillary service outside of the core business. We also delineate the B2B SE from related concepts, such as cooperatives and co-owning. Second, we provide managerial implications for platforms, incumbents, asset owners, and policymakers. Third, we outline areas for future research, for example, disruption trajectories, incumbent reactions, and the dark side of the B2B SE.
Original languageEnglish
Article number115244
JournalJournal of Business Research
Volume191
Number of pages13
ISSN0148-2963
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2025

Bibliographical note

Published online: 19 February 2025.

Keywords

  • Sharing economy
  • B2B
  • Platform business models
  • Servitization

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