Creative Destruction and the Sharing Economy

Uber as Disruptive Innovation

New Thinking in Political Economy series

Henrique Schneider, Chief Economist, Swiss Federation of SME, Switzerland

While creative destruction and disruptive innovation change the entrepreneurial landscape; regulation – especially regulation of sectorial markets and competition regulation – can delay this change or even bring it to a halt. Uber plays an active role between these two forces: first as an agent of creative destruction and then possibly in championing regulation on its own terms. Grounded in a particular understanding of the economic concept of the market as a series of processes, this book explores the implications of creative destruction, competition regulation and the role that businesses play. Instead of discussing these relations in a purely abstract manner, this book uses Uber as a case study.

‘Henrique Schneider’s Creative Destruction and the Sharing Economy: Uber as Disruptive Innovation discusses the business model of Uber and the evolution of the company through a market process framework. The author provides an insightful analysis on the nature between innovation and regulation, while also drawing on the history of taxi regulations. Anyone interested in “Uber-nomics” and the economic implications of regulation and innovation should read this book.’
– Liya Palagashvili, Purchase College, State University of New York, US

‘We believe that the book is a good reference to all entrepreneurs whom going to use sharing economy in their business. It simulates for them how their business would influence or can influence the economy, society and the technology.’
——国际青年经济杂志》上