Exploring theoretical lineages on collaborative consumption: trends and future research paths

Abstract

PurposeThis study reviews the literature on collaborative consumption (CC), depicting the main theoretical lineages of the CC approach while leveraging the findings to suggest promising paths for advancing the literature.Design/methodology/approachThis review is based on a bibliometric approach. The strict research protocol employed led to the inclusion of 249 articles in the descriptive and bibliometric analyses. The co-citation analysis led to the inclusion of 50 co-cited articles in the content analysis.FindingsThe descriptive analysis depicts the research profile on CC in terms of main features, yearly evolution of publications and citations, most influential articles and most influential journals. The systematization of the co-citation analysis led to the identification of three complementary theoretical lineages of research on CC: (1) theoretical roots of CC, (2) drivers of CC and (3) the sharing economy: consequences/outcomes. An integrative framework of research on CC schematizing the main theoretical lineages identified is proposed. Based on the critical gaps identified in the literature in CC, an agenda for future research is suggested.Originality/valueDespite the burgeoning interest in the CC approach, the literature has yet to fully grasp the CC concept's real implications. This study portrays a comprehensive review of the literature on CC; an integrative framework of the main theoretical lineages of research on CC is proposed, and an agenda for future research is suggested based on the critical gaps identified and implications for literature, policy and practice are stated.