ANALYSIS OF SHARED TRANSPORTATION PLATFORMS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Published in: Ekonomicko-manazerske spektrum 2023-12, Vol.17 (2), p.23-34
• Main Authors: Juracka, Denis, Rabe, Marcin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Consumption; COVID-19; Economic analysis; Economic aspects; Economic indicators; Environmental aspects; Financial statements; Food; Natural resources; Pandemics; Peers; Profitability; Raw materials; Ride sharing services; Sharing economy; Slovakia; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Transportation; Transportation industry; Transportation services
• ISSN: 1337-0839; 2585-7258
• DOI: 10.26552/ems.2023.2.23-34

Research background: Sharing economy is an economic system in which assets and services are shared between individuals. It is peer-to-peer based activity of sharing and obtaining to goods, services, and resources. The functioning of sharing economy platforms and specifically shared transportation of goods and services is still an area that is not fully explored. It is necessary to pay attention to the profitability of the platforms, but in addition to economic indicators, it is also necessary to deal with environmental issues, which are directly connected with these facts. Purpose of the article: The study deals with how revenue and profitability are achieved by shared transportation platforms, specifically the platforms Bolt Services SK, Uber Slovakia, Wolt Slovakia and Bistro Slovakia considering their operation within the territory of the Slovak Republic. Following this issue, the study reveals which economic and environmental benefits the shared transportation system can bring. Methods: Methods of determining the profitability of selected sharing economy platforms in the field of transport and delivery services are used in the studies. Environmental factors are explored through studies by authors dealing with this issue. Findings & Value added: The main findings of the study point to the unstable situation of platforms operating in the segment of shared transport and delivery services. Through profitability analysis, we were able to find out the fact that the global COVID-19 pandemic has affected the operation of shared transportation platforms in various ways. The unstable profitability of platforms for the shared transportation of people, goods and services was observed especially in the time before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, we observed positive changes in profitability, or there was almost no worsening of the financial situation during the pandemic. Keywords: sharing economy; shared transportation platforms; sustainability; economic analysis; transport in cities JEL Classification: D16; E26; F60; F64