The job?

The socio-economic development of many western cities is threatened by decline and stagnation.

Today, it is often difficult to create new economic opportunities against a backdrop of fierce competition, limited resources and shrinking markets.

Experts from all over the world see a possible way out in new forms of production, in particular collaborative production based on knowledge sharing. .

For example, new platforms for sharing objects, skills, time, space, services and knowledge are emerging that are capable of affecting the most established commercial monopolies and that could represent a real opportunity for traditional companies, if not perceived as a threat.

Nascent start-ups, in fact, respond to new consumer needs, including, for example, the growing need to interact with companies in a less vertical and top-down but more participative manner.

The real potential arises in partnerships, where traditional companies leaning on start-ups can approach this new culture of collaboration, and at the same time start-ups have the opportunity to access new markets.

For example, the case of Fubles, a community to find mates for five-a-side football matches, which boasts a collaboration with Adidas that was followed by a major funding from Renzo Rosso, (Diesel).

Or the collaboration between Barilla and Gnammo, a community for social eating enthusiasts.

Examples of how the demand for consumption is not absent, but has simply transformed, responding to new needs. The crisis and a renewed focus on resources, combined with the speed of sharing possible thanks to the network, and a reborn sense of community, are also pushing private individuals to rent, lend, etc., or those with skills (craft, artistic, scientific, commercial, etc.) to make themselves available to offer products or services through ad hoc platforms.

As The Economist pointed out in one of its specials on the Sharing Economy, collaborative consumption certainly represents an answer to the economic crisis we are experiencing.

So, ultimately, further opportunities and ideas lie ahead for the discerning businessman who is always attuned to market developments.