Incumbent Businesses within the Access Economy: Study into Incumbents’ Strategic Considerations to Participate in the Access Economy and the Role of the Dutch Government

Abstract

Despite the materialistic outlook of our society, the access economy has caused a shift from ownership to access and changed the position of consumers, businesses and the government. Within this study the following research question is answered: Which strategic considerations affect to what extent the participation of Dutch incumbent businesses in the access economy and to what extent does government policy affect these strategic considerations? The research question is answered by performing a multiple embedded case study and a policy analysis. The study shows that most of the studied incumbents do not experience a changing environment because of the access economy. The incumbents do often not believe in the presence of a critical mass and trust between strangers and are therefore unwilling to participate in the access economy. Moreover, incumbents’ experiences with earlier adaptions, capabilities, type of products and business models influence strategic considerations. For most incumbents, the access economy is a mean to increase profits. The access economy is assessed at different government levels and within different departments, all having a different interpretation of the access economy. The government activities are still explorative and follow a case-by-case approach. Also for the Dutch government the access economy is a mean instead of an end. However, the end of the government is to stimulate a sustainable society.