Airbnb And Other Market Sharing Companies Instructions

Air Bnb And Other Market Sharing Companiesinstructionsyo

Assignemnt – Air BnB and other Market Sharing Companies Instructions: You are required to answer the following questions. You should save your answers in a Word document for submission. Please do not repeat the questions on your answer sheet. Instead, please list the answers numerically/sequentially by simply utilizing 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each assignment must have a cover page listing your name, the name of the assignment, and the date.

The cover page does not count towards the word count. For each assignment, you are expected to answer the assigned questions in your own words. Each assignment paper should be at least 250 words. Papers less than the required 250 words will get zero. This does not mean each question requires a 250-word response; rather, the total number of words for answering the questions must total more than 250 words.

Read the assigned articles posted. The sharing economy has become a contentious issue as it disrupts numerous industries, notably the taxi industry with Uber and Lyft, which have been protected by laws from competition. Protectionism leads to poor services, lack of innovation, and unfavorable pricing. Companies like Lyft and Uber have introduced competition where little or none existed, forcing traditional taxi services to adapt. The political debate over Airbnb and the sharing economy generally divides along partisan lines: free-market advocates view these companies as the marketplace in action, while progressives see the sharing economy as an attack on labor unions and a threat to local government revenue through taxes from hotels. Hillary Clinton, for example, has proposed increased government regulation of sharing economy companies.

Questions/prompts

1. Do you support or oppose market sharing companies/economies (free market or progressive)? Why or why not? Provide reasons for your stance.

2. Are market sharing companies and economies beneficial or harmful to tourism and travelers? Explain your viewpoint with examples.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The rise of the sharing economy, exemplified by companies such as Airbnb and Uber, has sparked intense debates regarding their economic, social, and regulatory implications. This paper reflects on these issues by examining the perspectives supporting free-market ideologies versus progressive concerns on labor, revenue, and regulation. I personally advocate for a balanced approach that recognizes the innovative benefits of sharing economy platforms while implementing fair regulations to protect workers and local governments. This stance is grounded in the recognition that these companies have significantly transformed industries and consumer behaviors, but also pose challenges that require thoughtful policy responses.

Main Body

Supporting free-market principles, market sharing companies foster competition, innovation, and consumer choice. For example, Uber's entry into the transportation industry challenged established taxi monopolies, leading to better services and lower prices for consumers (Cramer & Krueger, 2016). This competition accelerates technological investment and operational efficiencies, illustrating how market sharing can catalyze economic growth. Furthermore, these platforms often enable individuals to monetize assets, such as renting out spare rooms through Airbnb, facilitating income generation and economic participation (Botsman & Rogers, 2010).

However, opponents argue that these companies undermine existing labor protections and local tax revenues. Many sharing economy workers lack benefits and job security, raising questions about fair labor practices (Rosenblat & Stark, 2016). Local governments face significant revenue losses when hotels evade taxes through Airbnb rentals, affecting public services and infrastructure investments (Gilsdorf, 2017). Moreover, unregulated growth can lead to neighborhood disruptions, safety concerns, and the erosion of standards in housing and transportation sectors.

Regarding tourism and travelers, market sharing companies provide both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, they expand options by offering affordable accommodations and transportation, thus boosting tourist accessibility and promoting local economies. For example, Airbnb allows travelers to experience destinations authentically and economically (Eurobarometer, 2018). On the other hand, the regulatory ambiguities and potential community disruptions can diminish the quality of visitor experiences and strain local infrastructure. Incidentally, over-tourism driven by sharing economy platforms can lead to overcrowding and environmental degradation, negatively impacting residents' quality of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, market sharing companies are powerful engines of innovation and economic opportunity, yet they present regulatory and societal challenges that must be addressed thoughtfully. A balanced approach that fosters innovation while safeguarding workers' rights and local revenues can optimize benefits for both consumers and communities. Policymakers should develop frameworks that enable these platforms to operate transparently and fairly, ensuring sustainable and equitable growth in the sharing economy.

References

• Botsman, R., & Rogers, R. (2010). What’s Mine Is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption. Harper Business.
• Cramer, J., & Krueger, A. B. (2016). Disruptive Change in the Taxi Business: The Case of Uber. American Economic Review, 106(5), 177-182.
• Eurobarometer. (2018). The Use of Sharing Economy in Europe. European Commission.
• Gilsdorf, A. (2017). The Taxation of Airbnb: A Case Study. Journal of Taxation and Regulation.
• Rosenblat, A., & Stark, L. (2016). Algorithmic Labor and Information Asymmetries: A Case Study of Uber’s Drivers. International Journal of Communication, 10, 3758–3784.
• Scholz, T. (2016). Uberworked and Underpaid: How Workers are Disrupting the Digital Economy. Polity Press.