This thesis consists of two parts. Part I describes the Challenge Lab method, which is a method developed at Chalmers for students to utilize their creativity to come up with innovative solutions for a change towards a more sustainable society. The Challenge Lab was carried out between January and June 2014 by 12 graduate students from seven countries. It used several tools, perspectives, theories and frameworks that should enable the students to act as change agents between academia, public and private sector by introducing solutions for a sustainable transport system. Amongst other methods, the Challenge Lab included dialogue tools, value and leadership workshops, design thinking and backcasting.
In Part II of this thesis, a system to reduce the environmental impact of each individual, called a sharing economy, is described and a convenient and accessible technological solution to implement in the public space is illustrated.
Through practical methods such as workshops and participation in the Gothenburg Startup Hack a prototype of a smart box was developed. This system could provide a convenient and accessible solution by offering a service similar to public lockers, which can be opened by using a web service and would be at accessible places in public spaces (bus stops, etc.). During the process a possible partnership with a project in Gothenburg, called “ElectriCity”, was identified and could be developed further on after the end of this thesis.
The main barrier of the sharing economy for reaching a mass-market was found to be trust amongst the individuals using the sharing platform. Several possible solutions to provide a trust-worthy service were identified and will be presented in the thesis. These include, amongst others, an insurance pool and a review system.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Challenge Lab
1.3 Challenge Lab Structure
1.4 Aim of the Thesis at hand
1.5 Delimitations
1.6 Outline of Thesis
2 The Challenge Lab Process
2.1 Outside-In Perspective
2.1.1 Outside-in methods
2.1.2 Process and utilised Tools
2.1.3 Findings from using the Tools
2.1.4 Reflections on the Outside-In Methods
2.2 Inside-Out Perspective
2.2.1 Inside-Out -Methods
2.2.2 Application of the Methods in the Challenge Lab Process
2.2.3 Reflections on the Inside-Out Methods
2.3 Transition of Socio-Technical Systems – Multilevel Perspective
2.3.1 Theory and Process
2.3.2 Outcome and Reflection
2.4 Design-thinking
2.4.1 Theory and Process
2.4.2 Outcome and Reflection
2.5 Development of the Research Project
3 Project
3.1 Project Aim
3.2 Methods
3.2.1 Part A – Interviews
3.2.2 Part B – Workshops
3.2.3 Part B – Survey
3.2.4 Part B – Gothenburg Startup Hack
3.2.5 Part B – Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Course
3.3 Theory and Practical Applications of a Sharing Economy
3.3.1 Collaborative Consumption Systems
3.3.2 Factors and Driving Forces contributing to the Sharing Economy
3.3.3 Customer Benefits of a Sharing Economy
3.3.4 Environmental Benefits of a Sharing Economy
3.3.5 Overview of existing Sharing Projects of Objects
3.3.6 Currently applied Business Models for Sharing Economy Practices
3.4 Results
3.4.1 Customer Feedback – Survey and Workshops
3.4.2 Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Course
3.4.3 Hardware Solution – Gothenburg Startup Hack
3.4.4 Applicable Business Model
4 Discussion
4.1 The Challenge Lab – Phase I
4.1.1 The Aims of the Challenge Lab
4.1.2 The Challenge Lab Approach
4.1.3 The Challenge Lab Tools and Frameworks
4.2 The Sharing Economy Project – Phase II
4.2.1 Discussion of the Project Methods
4.2.2 Discussion of the proposed Sharing Platform
5 Conclusion
Conclusion of the Challenge Lab Process – Phase I
Conclusion of the Project Process – Phase II
6 Recommendation
6.1 The Challenge Lab
6.2 Future Research Questions
Research Objectives and Focus
This thesis addresses the environmental challenge of inefficient resource utilization by exploring how a sharing economy can be implemented more effectively in urban environments. The research aims to design a more accessible and convenient sharing system for objects in Gothenburg, focusing on the barriers to mass-market adoption and the potential for technological integration.
- Analysis of barriers and drivers for increasing sharing economy participation.
- Evaluation of existing sharing projects and platforms in Gothenburg and Sweden.
- Investigation of public opinion, particularly among students, regarding sharing practices.
- Development of a technological solution (smart box stations) to enhance the convenience of sharing.
Excerpt from the Thesis
3.4.3 Hardware Solution – Gothenburg Startup Hack
The main goal of the hackathon was creating a smart box (see Figure 44). The idea behind the smart box solution is to provide a sharing platform together with an infrastructure in the city that allows users to share objects with each other. This means that if people want to share an object, but do not have the time to meet up in person, the owner of the object can drop it of in a box located in a public package station that was agreed upon both individuals.
After this drop-off the lender gets a notification that the object is ready to be picked up and what the confirmation code for the box is. The person only has to go to the package station, access a web service on a smartphone and enter the package station number as well as the confirmation code in an online form. If the entered values are correct, the box will open and the lender can get the object and vice versa. The handover of the object is convenient and due to the public location of the package station it is also very accessible.
Due to time limitations only a first prototype was built during the event to show an illustration of the concept (see Figure 44). The box could be opened with a servo motor connected to a Raspberry Pie (a credit-card-sized single-board computer) that was linked to a web service by entering the right code combination. During idle mode, a red LED showed that the box is activated and ready to use. As soon as the right code combination was entered, the LED changed to green and the servo motor opened the door.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides background on the Challenge Lab at Chalmers and defines the scope, research questions, and structure of this master thesis.
2 The Challenge Lab Process: Details the methodologies used in Phase I, including the "outside-in" and "inside-out" perspectives, and describes how the research project was developed.
3 Project: Covers the practical implementation of the sharing platform project, including interviews, workshops, and the development of a smart box prototype during a hackathon.
4 Discussion: Reflects on the effectiveness of the Challenge Lab methods and evaluates the proposed sharing platform, its limitations, and business feasibility.
5 Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings from both phases, reiterating the potential for a sharing economy in Gothenburg if supported by reliable infrastructure and trust-building mechanisms.
6 Recommendation: Offers insights for future Challenge Lab iterations and proposes specific research topics to address remaining uncertainties, such as policy impacts and insurance models.
Keywords
The Challenge Lab, innovation lab, sharing economy, stakeholders, technical innovation systems, ElectriCity, Gothenburg Startup Hack, backcasting, design thinking, sustainable transport, resource consumption, peer-to-peer, collaborative consumption, smart box.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental goal of this thesis?
The main objective is to design a more accessible and convenient system for sharing objects in Gothenburg to promote a more sustainable society and reduce individual consumption.
What are the core research themes?
The study revolves around the barriers to a sharing economy, the role of trust, consumer willingness, and the application of technology to facilitate peer-to-peer resource sharing.
What is the primary research question?
The thesis focuses on how technology can improve the accessibility and convenience of sharing economy principles, specifically regarding physical objects in public urban spaces.
Which methodology was applied?
The research employed the Challenge Lab framework, involving literature reviews, interviews with project initiators, public surveys, brainstorming workshops, and a practical prototyping session at the Gothenburg Startup Hack.
What is covered in the main body?
The thesis outlines the theoretical basis of the sharing economy, details the implementation of a "smart box" infrastructure for object drop-off and pickup, and analyzes the business models required to sustain such a service.
What defines the research?
The thesis is characterized by its focus on "challenge-driven education," multi-level perspective frameworks, sustainable development principles, and practical prototyping.
How is trust addressed in the proposed sharing model?
The research identifies trust as a major barrier and proposes several solutions, including insurance pools funded by deposits based on item value and leveraging existing community networks.
What is the potential impact of the proposed smart box stations?
The smart box stations aim to decouple sharing from the need for personal meetings, thereby increasing the flexibility and convenience of the service and potentially reaching a mass-market audience.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Andreas Lehner (Autor:in), 2014, Design of a Sharing Platform for Objects in Gothenburg, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/294914
