Collaborative economy at the level of the European Union: State and perspectives

On the whole, the collaborative economy, as a recently emerging and fast-growing phenomenon, involves the exchange of resources using an online platform to produce, distribute and provide new services. Given the strong influence on shaping future labor market policies, labor relations, education and training, as well as digitalization, there is no doubt that the collaborative economy is one of the hot topics on today's political agenda, not just in Europe, but worldwide. It could be freely said that the collaborative economy in the European Union is a very current topic and numerous discussion papers are circulating about it, which all point to the general conclusion that this new model has not been developed in a meaningful way in this part of the world. In that sense, the primary goal of this paper is to analyze the mechanism of functioning of the collaborative economy, with special emphasis on the possibilities and limitations of its development at the EU level, applying scientific methods of systematization and analysis. The paper shows that the collaborative economy has not yet experienced its full valorization at the EU level, and at the same time presents conclusions and recommendations regarding its development potential in this part of the world. The paper suggests that the European Union has a positive attitude towards the collaborative economy, considering it an opportunity, not a threat, although there is a huge space for further economic expansion of this business model (in terms of employment, growth, competitiveness, sustainability and transition to the circular economy), as well as for a substantial shift in the field of its regulation in order to avoid serious bifurcation. In order for the collaborative economy at the EU level to take major steps forward in the forthcoming period, the most important thing is to establish a clear and dynamic legal environment, in order to avoid the risk of fragmentation of the single market and unfair competition.