Sharing Economy's Social and Economic Benefits Drive SDG Achievement in Vietnam's Transport Sector

Why It Matters

This research highlights how embracing sharing economy principles can be a strategic pathway for businesses and policymakers aiming to advance global sustainability targets. It underscores the tangible impact of these models beyond mere economic transactions, extending into social progress and environmental stewardship.

Key Finding

The study found that the social and economic advantages generated by sharing economy initiatives in Vietnam's transport sector directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, an innovative organizational culture amplifies these positive effects.

Key Findings

• Social benefits of the sharing economy positively and significantly relate to SDG achievement.
• Economic benefits of the sharing economy positively and significantly relate to SDG achievement.
• Innovative culture mediates the relationship between sharing economy benefits and SDG achievement.

Research Evidence

Aim: To empirically investigate the impact of environmental, social, and economic benefits of a sharing economy on SDG achievement, and the mediating role of innovative culture in Vietnam's transportation industry.

Method: Quantitative research using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).

Procedure: Primary data was collected from employees in Vietnam's transportation industry and analyzed using Smart-PLS software to assess the relationships between sharing economy benefits, innovative culture, and SDG achievement.

Context: Transportation industry in Vietnam.

Design Principle

Design for shared value: ensure that the design of sharing economy platforms creates tangible social and economic benefits that align with global sustainability goals.

How to Apply

When designing or evaluating sharing economy platforms, explicitly measure and aim to improve social and economic metrics, and consider how to embed an innovative culture to amplify these impacts towards SDG achievement.

Limitations

The study is specific to the transportation industry in Vietnam, and findings may not be generalizable to other sectors or geographical regions. The focus on employee perceptions might also introduce bias.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: This study shows that when people share things like cars or rides (the sharing economy), it helps Vietnam reach its goals for a better future (SDGs), especially if the companies are creative and open to new ideas.

Why This Matters: Understanding how sharing economy models contribute to sustainability helps in designing more impactful and responsible products and services that address global challenges.

Critical Thinking: To what extent can the findings regarding the social and economic benefits of the sharing economy in Vietnam's transport sector be generalized to other industries or cultural contexts, and what design adaptations might be necessary?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This research by Sadiq et al. (2023) provides empirical evidence that the social and economic benefits derived from sharing economy models, particularly within the transportation industry of Vietnam, significantly contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The study also highlights the crucial mediating role of an innovative culture in amplifying these positive impacts, suggesting that design interventions aimed at fostering sharing economies should consider both direct benefit generation and the cultivation of an innovative environment.

Project Tips

• Consider how your design project can contribute to specific Sustainable Development Goals.
• Investigate how user interactions within a sharing economy model can generate social or economic value.
• Explore the role of innovation in scaling up the positive impacts of your design.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the broader societal and environmental impacts of sharing economy designs.
• Use the findings to justify the importance of social and economic benefits in your design's evaluation criteria.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design choices can directly influence the achievement of global sustainability targets.
• Critically evaluate the transferability of findings from one context to another.

Independent Variable: ["Environmental benefits of sharing economy","Social benefits of sharing economy","Economic benefits of sharing economy"]

Dependent Variable: Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) achievement

Controlled Variables: Innovative culture (as a mediator)

Strengths

• Empirical evidence from a specific industry and region.
• Utilizes advanced statistical modeling (PLS-SEM) for robust analysis.

Critical Questions

• What are the potential negative environmental impacts of the sharing economy that were not the primary focus of this study?
• How can designers actively foster an 'innovative culture' through their design interventions within sharing economy platforms?

Extended Essay Application

• An Extended Essay could explore the design of a sharing economy platform for a specific local community, aiming to maximize its social and economic benefits and explicitly linking these to relevant SDGs.
• Investigate how the design of user interfaces and incentive structures can promote an innovative culture within a sharing economy context.

Source

Sharing economy benefits and sustainable development goals: Empirical evidence from the transportation industry of Vietnam · Journal of Innovation & Knowledge · 2023 · 10.1016/j.jik.2022.100290