Entrepreneurial characteristics of service providers in the platform-based collaborative economy

Structured abstractPurpose: This article examines the nature of service provision in the platform-based collaborative economy from the perspective of entrepreneurship theories. It starts from a knowledge gap about the individual and contextual characteristics that determine this service provision through digital platforms. By exploring these determinants for the service provision in the two main sectors of the collaborative economy, transportation and accommodation, the study provides a first conceptual introduction of these activities and their nature into existing entrepreneurship research.Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is based upon Eurobarometer microdata (2018), covering 28 European countries with about 27,000 observations, and uses a seemingly unrelated Probit model.Findings: The likelihood of service provision through platforms in the collaborative economy is highest for individuals aged 25-34 years but decreases continuously with age. Occupation, gender and population density of the place of residence are other relevant determinants. By contrast, the regulatory system and GDP per capita of the region are not relevant.Research implications: The findings illuminate the under-studied characteristics and contextual factors related to individuals engaging with entrepreneurial activities in the collaborative economy. Future research should notably investigate the role of age, previous self-employment, occupation, and place of residence.Practical implications: The collaborative economy is still a marginal sector in Europe, but likely to grow bigger. Particularly the young, highly educated entrepreneurial persons located in urban regions may spur this expected growth. Supporting their entrepreneurship through policy support might foster digital entrepreneurship and contribute to growth in the digital economy.Keywords: Collaborative economy, service provision, digital platforms, digital entrepreneurship, seemingly unrelated Probit model

Til publikasjon: https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3375556 | Publiseringsår: 2020 | Tidsskrift: