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Owning, Using and Renting: Some Simple Economics of the "Sharing Economy"

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  • John J. Horton
  • Richard J. Zeckhauser

Abstract

New Internet-based markets enable consumer/owners to rent out their durable goods when not using them. Such markets are modeled to determine ownership, rental rates, quantities, and surplus generated. Both the short run, before consumers can revise their ownership decisions, and the long run, in which they can, are examined to assess how these markets change ownership and consumption. The analysis examines bringing-to-market costs, such as labor costs and transaction costs, and considers the operating platform’s pricing problem. A survey of consumers broadly supports the modeling assumptions employed. For example, ownership is determined by individuals’ forward-looking assessments of planned usage.

Suggested Citation

  • John J. Horton & Richard J. Zeckhauser, 2016. "Owning, Using and Renting: Some Simple Economics of the "Sharing Economy"," NBER Working Papers 22029, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:22029
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

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