Frontiers in Psychology Special Issue on "Can the Sharing Economy Contribute to Well-being?"

Starts:  Jul 29, 2021 06:00 (ET)
Ends:  Oct 31, 2021 23:59 (ET)

This special issue of Frontiers in Psychology focuses on the impact of the Sharing Economy on individual and collective Well-being. Manuscript deadline 31 October 2021. Those interested may submit an abstract by July 31, 2021, but this is not necessary for submitting a manuscript.

Guest editors: Eleni Papaoikonomou (University of Rovira i Virgili Tarragona), Pia A. Albinsson (Appalachian State University), Lucie K. Ozanne (University of Canterbury), Estela Marine-Roig (Universitat de Lleida), and B. Yasanthi Perera (Brock University)

Much has been written about the rise of the sharing economy. While it is recognized for its potential to create more sustainable, connected, and human-centric societies, its critics discuss its multiple negative externalities. However, given the diversity of sharing economy initiatives, it is expected that their outcomes may vary greatly depending on the context, situational factors, and type of initiative.

This Research Topic explores how different sharing economy initiatives and experiences can contribute to or hinder individual and societal well-being. While well-being is a highly researched topic in the field of psychology,  it has also attracted attention in consumer and organizational studies. Well-being has often been linked to happiness and life satisfaction as well as personal growth, autonomy, and self-acceptance. Beyond individual well-being, community well-being, which focuses on quality of life and group satisfaction, encompasses various dimensions from social and economic to health and environmental well-being. Research is emerging on how sharing initiatives can support individual, family, and collective or community well-being. Given the broad nature of this concept, we welcome contributions that can stimulate further discussion on this topic.

Specific topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • Emotional well-being and participation in sharing economy initiatives in the pre and post COVID era.
  • Influence of peer-to-peer experiences on users’ and providers’ well-being (e.g., host-guest relationship in peer-to-peer accommodations).
  • Critical perspectives on the negative psychological outcomes of sharing economy initiatives for users and non-users (e.g., the gentrification of neighborhoods).
  • The health and safety considerations in the sharing economy.
  • Creative solutions for meeting societal well-being needs.
  • Well-being generated by sharing economy platforms (for-profit and nonprofit) as the result of strategic approaches.
  • The emergence of sharing initiatives as an unexpected actor of social change in times of crisis.
  • Collaboration of sharing economy ventures and platforms with other actors (e.g., for profit companies, policy makers) to generate well-being.
  • Diverse examples of societal innovation and well-being that can be generated from sharing economy initiatives.

Contributions can vary and focus on different types of sharing economy platforms (online/offline, different sectors, commercial/non-profit etc.). Different methodological approaches and cross-cultural comparisons are also encouraged.

Keywords: Sharing economy, well-being, platforms, sustainability, community, impact, peer-to-peer

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Please note that Frontiers in Psychology is an open access journal with publishing fees.

Full information here:

https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/21673/can-the-sharing-economy-contribute-to-wellbeing-exploring-the-impact-of-the-sharing-economy-on-indiv