Collaborative consumption in Southeast Asian cities: Prospects and challenges for environmental sustainability

Abstract

The rise of collaborative consumption and the sharing economy suggests a growing acceptability of ownerless consumption, which could enable more resource efficient use of goods. These phenomena have largely been studied in high income countries, however, businesses enabling shared-access to goods or services have been emerging around the world. In Asia, rapid economic growth is enabling vast numbers of ‘new consumers’ to access a middle-class lifestyle. In this context, it is important to examine the potential for nascent movements such as collaborative consumption to offer more sustainable alternatives to mass consumption. This thesis examines the use of collaborative consumption businesses in emerging economies in Southeast Asia, focusing on the cities of Hanoi, Bangkok and Manila. The aim is to understand the prospects and challenges for these businesses to offer more environmentally sustainable modes of consuming. Using an interdisciplinary approach, I investigate the prospects for collaborative consumption (CC) businesses in terms of environmental sustainability and with regard to the institutional and personal dimensions of their use. I examine the broader cultural, social, legal, political and economic contexts for CC businesses in these three cities as well as specific case study businesses. I primarily use qualitative research methods, but also develop some quantitative estimates of resource use. The scope is limited to product-service systems for households that enable shared-access to goods, or offer services to replace products. I undertook over forty interviews with businesses, consumers, academics, policymakers and other stakeholders in Bangkok and Hanoi. CC businesses interviewed included rideshare, taxishare, bikeshare, laundry services and rental for tools, toys, clothing and designer bags. In Manila, I undertook nineteen interviews for a case study focused on comparing individual and shared laundering methods. Four distinct journal articles were developed for this thesis. In these articles, I have: characterized the current business types and users in these cities; examined CC business sustainability practices; explored consumer practices and resource use with regard to shared and individual laundering; and identified the socio-cultural and institutional barriers and enablers for CC businesses. I have drawn on different theories for each article, including: adaptive theory, social practice theory and multi-level perspective. I use a social practice theory framework to integrate the findings of the four articles and to develop the conclusions. Collaborative consumption (CC) businesses in our study appear to be used by niche groups: university students, young families, people living in densely populated areas, and emerging and upper middle-class people keen to access better quality and more diverse goods. CC businesses in our study were inclined to use durable, quality goods, to undertake maintenance, and sell their goods for second hand use and potential remanufacturing. These businesses may be more likely to achieve environmentally sustainable outcomes in high density environments, where home storage is limited and where transport needs can be reduced. Our detailed case study on laundering found that social changes and the nature of housing is likely to influence the choice of individual or shared laundering methods. The socio-cultural and commercial regimes in Bangkok and Hanoi present major barriers to further adoption of CC, with regards to “ownership cultures” and resistance from incumbent industries. However, attitudes are changing and many of the physical drivers for CC, such as high-density living, are prominent in Southeast Asia. Many of the barriers to CC can be addressed through supportive policies and institutional arrangements such as: appropriate legal definitions and frameworks, business permits, and programs to facilitate financing for CC businesses. In all cases, positive social and environmental outcomes will need to be encouraged or incentivised by governments. Show more