Exploring the Relationship between Sharing Economy, Socially Responsible Consumption and Materialism - A Conceptual Paper

Authors

Keren Khambhata, School of Business, Auro University, Surat, IndiaFollow
Janki Mistry, Department of Business and Industrial Management, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, IndiaFollow
Ritesh Khatwani, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management Pune, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, IndiaFollow
Mahima Mishra, Abu Dhabi School of Management, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan St - Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesFollow
Geetanjali Pinto, SIES School of Business Studies, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, IndiaFollow

Abstract

Modern Cultures constantly place emphasis on consumption processes. As consumption becomes more important, the notion of consumer accountability for the current difficulties becomes more pertinent. The catastrophic extinction of animal species and ongoing greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to our unsustainable consumption of natural resources, and a result of our over exploitation of the environment, particularly in more developed nations. Among other negative effects, unsustainable consumption causes habitat loss, biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. In the past decade, a disruptive phenomenon called “Sharing Economy” has evolved as a phenomenon that is extensively being discussed in order to encourage more sustainable consumption behaviours, such as access over ownership. This study discusses the idea of responsible consumption behaviours by participating in the sharing economy. The aspect of materialism is also discussed in this paper with respect to sharing as sharing and materialism appear to be mutually exclusive. Thus, this conceptual research explores the relationships between socially responsible consumption, sharing economy & materialism. This paper concludes that sharing economy has the potential to lead to responsible consumption, only if negative threat posed by traditional materialistic consumption is addressed in a positive manner.

Recommended Citation

Khambhata, Keren; Mistry, Janki; Khatwani, Ritesh; Mishra, Mahima; and Pinto, Geetanjali (2023) "Exploring the Relationship between Sharing Economy, Socially Responsible Consumption and Materialism - A Conceptual Paper," Information Sciences Letters: Vol. 12 : Iss. 12 , PP -.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/isl/vol12/iss12/18