Demographic and generational determinants of Poles’ participation in the sharing economy: Findings from a survey data analysis

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 17; no. 6; p. e0265341
• Main Authors: Warwas, Izabela, Podgórniak-Krzykacz, Aldona, Wiktorowicz, Justyna, Górniak, Joanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 09.06.2022; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Age groups; Baby boomers; Biology and Life Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences; Consumer behavior; Consumers; Consumption; Data analysis; Digital economy; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Economic growth; Economics; Engineering and Technology; Evaluation; Generation X; Global economy; Globalization; Growth; Internet access; Millennials; Older people; People and Places; Public concern; Research methodology; Ridesharing; Sharing economy; Social networks; Social research; Social Sciences; Surveys; Poland; Europe
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265341

The fast development of technologies in today’s world is accompanied by the mushrooming of digital platforms constituting the core of the ecosystem of sharing economy. This multifaceted phenomenon and its ever-increasing presence have become a subject of public interest and debate, as well as encouraging research and scientific discourse. The article presents the results of the first study of Poles’ participation in sharing economy derived from a questionnaire survey of a representative sample (n = 1000). The purpose of the study was to characterise Poles participating in the digital economy and to determine how they differ in the use of sharing platforms depending on their age group and generation. The analysis has shown that the rates of Poles participating in the digital economy are the smaller, the older the age group, and that a rising number of the users of digital economy solutions translates into greater acceptance of sharing platforms. Among the oldest Poles, 70% do not participate in the digital economy and as much as 80% in the sharing economy. The numbers sharply contrast with generations Z and Y that participate in the sharing economy almost without exception. The most popular of sharing services turned out to be accommodation reservation indicated by every third respondent.