Framing the Scope of the Research

The purpose of this chapter is to frame the SE field of research, outlining the state of the art and identifying key definitions and perspectives relating to the concept. Since the inception and rapid development of SE platforms, several definitions have been provided by scholars. This has resulted in different interpretations and a consequent confusion about what to include under the SE label. The chapter offers an overview of the main definitions and proposes an interpretative framework by which narrow and broad interpretations of SE are identified. In addition, the chapter also provides differentiation between a set of SE-related terms used interchangeably (e.g. collaborative consumption, collaborative economy, access-based economy). To provide a complete overview of the concept, the actors belonging to the SE relevant ecosystem are described, as well as the different positive and negative impacts these platforms have, through an analysis of Airbnb.