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Article
Capturing Excess in the On-Demand Economy
University of Hawaii Law Review
  • Erez Aloni, Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia
Faculty Author Type
Current Faculty [Erez Aloni]
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Subjects
  • Sharing Economy,
  • Uber,
  • Airbnb,
  • Lyft,
  • Gig Economy,
  • Platform Economy,
  • Local Regulation,
  • Excess Capacity
Disciplines
Abstract

Activities facilitated by on-demand platforms (such as Airbnb or Uber) produce varying levels of negative and positive externalities. In this Article I submit that the type and quantity of externalities produced are determined by the location of the activity along a spectrum of increased utilization. Transactions that make use of excess capacity produce the fewest negative externalities and produce more positive externalities. The more we move along the spectrum away from use of excess capacity and toward new capacity created for the platform use, the more negative externalities the activity produces. Thus, unique sets of rules should govern the categories that lie at each end of this spectrum: Excess capacity should be regulated differently than new capacity, with each set of regulations tailored to address the particular benefits and harms that stem from that kind of activity.

Citation Information
Erez Aloni, "Capturing Excess in the On-Demand Economy" (2017) 39 U Haw L Rev 315-356.