We scour the internet to find the most interesting news on the collaborative consumption front. Here are our picks for the week:
Independent contractor ruling on FedEx drivers could affect “Sharing Economy”
Patrick Hoge, BizJournals
A federal court panel ruling this week holding that FedEx drivers were misclassified as independent contractors could have major implications for “sharing economy” companies — firms that provide services ranging from on-demand transportation to food delivery, maid service, grocery shopping and errand running.
Mailbox Stickers Offer An Analog View Of Your Neighborhood’s Sharing Economy
Ben Schiller, FastCompany
In Switzerland, a growing number of people are eschewing the hi-tech in favor a few smartly designed stickers. Designed to be placed on people’s mailboxes, they let you display what you have to offer to neighbors-saws, rakes, stepladders-without ever booting up an iPad.
We-commerce: The sharing economy’s uncertain path to changing the world
Lyndsey Gilpin, Tech Republic
There’s also a different picture being painted of the sharing economy. It features billion dollar Silicon Valley investments that cause companies to scale at exceedingly fast rates, and it’s burying the original mission of this movement.
‘Sharing Economy’ Stopped from Privatizing S.F. Public Parking Spaces
Capital and Main
Following today’s close-of-business deadline that City Attorney Dennis Herrera imposed on mobile app companies seeking to facilitate sales or auctions of the city’s on-street public parking spaces, all three businesses involved in the practice have confirmed in writing that their apps are currently on hiatus in San Francisco.
Marc Gunther, GreenBiz
I’m a big fan of the sharing economy. On a recent trip to San Francisco, I stayed in a house I found on Airbnb and made my way around the city usinguberX. I’ve written favorably about house sharing,car sharing, bike sharing and getting rid of stuff you no longer want via yerdle. At environmental conferences, I’ve listened to evangelists for the sharing economy such as Lisa Gansky,Robin Chase and Andy Ruben. Participating in the sharing economy can save money, open people up to new experiences and build a sense of community among strangers.
UK ‘sharing economy’ could be worth £9bn by 2025
Tom Revell, Blue and Green Tomorrow
The UK’s fast-growing “sharing economy” could be worth £9 billion by 2025, according to a new report from PwC.
