Key research themes
1. What are the prospective market structure scenarios shaping the future of the collaborative economy?
This research theme explores theoretical and scenario-based projections of how the collaborative economy's market structures may evolve by 2050. It matters because understanding potential developmental trajectories informs service providers and policymakers preparing for disruptions in various service markets influenced by collaborative consumption.
2. How do social and prosocial motivations sustain cooperation in collaborative and peer-production economies?
This research theme investigates the psychological and behavioral foundations that underlie participant engagement and cooperation within collaborative economy platforms, particularly peer-production models. Understanding these motivations is crucial for designing sustainable collaborative systems and enhancing participation without relying on traditional monetary incentives.
3. What roles do interdisciplinarity and governance modalities play in shaping collaborative economic systems and their sustainable development?
This theme focuses on the methodological, institutional, and governance challenges and opportunities inherent in collaborative economies, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, democratic governance (e.g., cooperatives), and policy frameworks. This research informs how collaborative economies can be embedded within broader economic, social, and technological systems to enhance sustainability and inclusion.