Responsibilisation of participants in sharing economy platforms

The case of Airbnb and the hotelisation of hosting practice

Bibliographic Data

ID12655889
AuthorsAntonios Kaniadakis (0000-0002-1043-4318, Brunel University of London, corresponding author), Anna Farmaki (0000-0002-9996-5632, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus)
Year2022
Volume26
Issue10
Pages5763-5783
Publication date2022-12-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Media & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-4448 • E-ISSN: 1461-7315
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14614448221141645
OpenAlexW4311254328
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited59

Processes of responsibilisation aim to configure individuals into the governance models of digital platforms and realise versions of the sharing economy pursued by powerful platform owners. Questions are raised, however, as to whether this is an empowering process or one that puts participants at risk. Based on a qualitative study of Airbnb hosts in Europe, we explore their understanding of their own responsibilities as emerging hospitality practitioners. Our analysis shows that hosts actively engage in professional identity work and map a practice architecture which includes a set of responsibilities. We suggest, however, that this is not by itself a sign of empowered individuals rather a reaction to the perceived shift of Airbnb’s strategy towards hotelisation of hosting practice. We contribute to an understanding of responsibilisation as a critical and reactionary process

Business · Corporate governance · Economics · Gig economy · Hospitality · Identity (music · Market economy · Political science · Precarity · Process (computing · Public relations · Set (abstract data type · Sharing economy · Sociology · Tourism · Work (physics · Computer Science · Digital Economy and Work Transformation · Sharing Economy and Platforms · Transportation and Mobility Innovations · Architecture · Marketing