The Keys of the Collaborative Business Model

Call it the sharing, collaborative or peer-to-peer (P2P) economy, a new business paradigm is gradually taking shape. And as with any disruptive business paradigm, this one comes with controversy and debate. This article examines the key levers of several well-known business models, in particular, the market-access mechanisms, the resource-allocation models, and the approach to governance, monitoring and control. Highlighting the differences may help academics, practitioners and policymakers better understand the potential advantages and shortcomings of the collaborative economy.