Value creation and sustainable growth of sharing economy platforms: a value network perspective

This study proposes a generalised value network (VN) model for sharing economy platforms (SEP) and analyzes the internal structure and functional mechanisms by utilising sharing economy theories and corporate value creation. Platform business strategy and the development of the VN system are further discussed through the case study of a ride-hailing platform. This paper proposes that the SEP realises its own value creation and growth by creating and extending the user-centered VN. The user base is a core element of the sustainable development of an SEP, which should thus constantly strengthen its customer-centricity, information-sharing, and resource integration strategies to enhance overall efficiency and core competitiveness. In addition, sustainable growth could be achieved by exploiting the value of information data deeply and expanding as well as enriching the business ecosystem.