Creating value to mitigate disaster harm: how the sharing economy can support consumers and policy makers

Abstract

As disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, public policy makers will need to identify additional means to support communities. Sharing platforms provide an innovative approach to facilitate value creation for communities and consumers in high-velocity disaster situations. The four-phase model of disasters is used to depict how sharing platforms can link consumers to a diversity of resources during each phase, facilitating value creation. The different types of consumer needs, the role of the sharing platform, and key challenges are identified in each phase. The highlighted examples illustrate how sharing platforms can provide robust systems that can be rapidly deployed by affected communities.