How Does the Collaborative Economy Advance Better Product Lifetimes? A Case Study of Free-Floating Bike Sharing

Abstract

The collaborative economy is considered to have great potential in promoting the circular economy. However, there is little empirical research in this field. Taking the Beijing free-floating bike sharing (FFBS) program as an example, this study develops a system dynamics (SD) model based on the product lifetime extension business model (PLEBM) framework, and the business practices of FFBS. Combined with the dynamic evolution process of the FFBS market, the impact of FFBS on bicycle lifetime and the utilization efficiency of the urban bicycle system is explored. The results show that FFBS can reduce the required supply scale of the entire bicycle system by about 21%, and increase the average daily usage of bicycles by about 27%. In addition, FFBS also can increase the average lifecycle trip volume per bike in the entire urban bicycle system from approximately 900 to 1060, an increase of 16%. In particular, this study estimates that the optimal supply scale of the FFBS market in Beijing is about 800,000. It is worth noting that although enhancing the PLE strategy can increase the contribution of FFBS to PLE, it may also deteriorate the profitability of the FFBS platform. The authorities and FFBS operators should work together to continuously improve the profitability of the platform and strengthen its innovation capabilities to promote the healthy and sustainable development of FFBS.

Dynamic capabilities for circular manufacturing supply chains—Exploring the role of Industry 4.0 and resilience

“…Several CE models and frameworks (Kristoffersen et al, 2020; Laumann & Tambo, 2018; Pieroni et al, 2021) were developed to provide proactive guidance to organisations to implement CE practices. Innovative capabilities can promote CE transition through sharing and collaboration (Jakhar et al, 2019; Sun, 2021). Other important capabilities such as participation in collaborative circular networks, knowledge on designing new business strategies and engaging with the different SC partners (Sousa‐Zomer et al, 2018) such as waste suppliers can further enhance the waste quality management capability which is an important aspect for IS.…”

“…Innovative capabilities can promote CE transition through sharing and collaboration (Jakhar et al, 2019;Sun, 2021). Jabbour et al, 2019).…”

Circular Business Models for Remanufacturing in the Electric Bicycle Industry

“…In B2C bikesharing business models, electric bicycles are made available to customers via free-floating or docking stations, while digital platforms are used to conduct payment, check availability, etc. (Sun, 2021). To be competitive, customers must be given access to always-functional electric bicycles that are available at central locations in the city.…”

Role of smart technologies for implementing industry 4.0 environment in product lifetime extension towards circular economy: A qualitative research

“…Yet, despite the claims that Industry 4.0 (I4.0) contributes to sustainability [e.g., [ [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ]], little research has investigated how the technological advances of the fourth industrial revolution contribute to PLE. More precisely, the empirical study of technology 4.0's connection to PLE is necessary and contributes crucially to the literature because current research in the area remains conceptual and lacks empirics [ 3 ] or is grounded in specific sectors or contexts [e.g., [ 13 ]]. For example [ 14 ], explored smart product-service systems in the healthcare industry.…”

“…It informs scholars and managers alike on the main benefits of those technologies. For scholars, this study contributes to extant research on empirics examining the link between I4.0 technologies and PLE [e.g., [ 13 ]] without focusing on a specific sector or industry but considering the topic of (semi-)durable goods manufacturing generically. Furthermore, the study is not limited to particular technologies (e.g., large-scale data analytics [ 15 ] or 3D printing [ 17 , 29 ] but covers a broader spectrum of what can be considered core technologies of I4.0, notably Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Additive Manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence [ 29 ].…”