Multi‐sided? Operation mode of sharing economy enterprises

Abstract Turning to the theoretical methods of two‐sided markets, we analyze the operation mode selection of the sharing economy. Considering the interactions of the operating enterprise, resource suppliers (basic service providers), value‐added service providers, and consumers, we show that the selection of one‐sided mode, two‐sided mode, or multi‐sided mode depends on enterprise service quality, pricing power and cross‐group externalities of sharing economy service, utility evaluation and access cost of the value‐added service. Further, we give a theoretical explanation of the operation mode evolution in China's online car‐hailing market and put forward two specific multi‐sided platform development paths.