Unlocking the potential of blockchain-based sharing economy in hospitality and tourism: A systematic review

• Published in: International journal of hospitality management 2024-09, Vol.122, p.103863, Article 103863
• Main Authors: Muharam, Ikram Nur, Tussyadiah, Iis, Kimbu, Albert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blockchain; Decentralisation; Hospitality; PRISMA; Sharing economy; Systematic literature review
• ISSN: 0278-4319
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2024.103863

This systematic review is a trailblazer for the blockchain-based sharing economy concept, mainly in hospitality and tourism. It highlights the potential integration of blockchain across sharing economy sectors (e.g., accommodation, transportation, and business services). Following the PRISMA protocol, 43 publications from 12 scholarly databases were analysed. It identifies different types of implementations, including decentralised apps and specific functionalities that utilise blockchain. Key issues are discussed, including contradictory aspects (transparency vs privacy, centralisation within decentralisation, and users' euphoria vs technical barriers) and advantages (increased security, automated sharing mechanisms, and user participation). The review offers practical implementation paths for blockchain-based sharing economy systems in hospitality and tourism, emphasising the importance of context, scope limitation, focusing on increasing advantages, and managing technological trade-offs. It also suggests critical future research topics and action agendas for hospitality and tourism stakeholders. •Knowledge synthesises of hospitality and tourism blockchain-based sharing economy.•A comprehensive review of 43 scholarly blockchain-based sharing economy articles.•Issues and use cases of hospitality and tourism blockchain-based sharing economy.•Benefits and challenges of blockchain in hospitality and tourism sharing economy.•Implementation framework of the blockchain-based sharing economy is proposed.