Samenvatting

The disruptive rise of the sharing economy has revolutionized the field of consumption of things and
influenced many associated areas. Participation in these social innovations is an important phenomenon
and people are exploring and expanding the further possibilities of the sharing economy with emerging
technologies such as blockchain. The potential of blockchain technology is widely acknowledged as a
process of significant value co-creation. This dissertation aims to explore the benefits of blockchain
technology for bike-sharing schemes (BSSs), specifically its adaptive capabilities. Therefore, the
central question of this study is: What possible theoretical implications does blockchain technology
have for optimizing bike-sharing schemes?
The dissertation addresses the question by cross-over analysis of the mechanism and functions of
blockchain and the current development of bike-sharing systems. The literature review focused on
background information on the sharing economy, bike-sharing and blockchain technology. In addition,
four bike-sharing and rental platforms were studied to see how existing BSSs perform. Case studies
were examined of blockchain technology operating in practice in the real business world.
Questionnaires and interviews were used to discover how customers and industry experts evaluate
blockchain-based bike-sharing schemes. This has generated a better understanding of enabling factors
that can be enhanced by the development of blockchain.
The findings have demonstrated that blockchain technology offers unprecedented potential for
optimizing bike-sharing systems. Bike-sharing schemes are a sustainable and convenient means of
transport. However, efficiency, costs and a more widely distributed network are crucial factors that are
still capable of improvement. Blockchain, by its nature, eliminates the involvement of intermediaries
and third parties. Moreover, smart contracts allow a self-executed process to verify information and
agreements, payment clearance and communication, using a high-level security algorithm. Thus, in
theory at least, the application of blockchain technology can add value to bike-sharing schemes.
This dissertation tentatively measures the economic impact of a blockchain scenario in bike sharing in
the Dutch market. It is recommended that the economic, social and customer aspects of the adaptation
of blockchain be the subject of in-depth studies on the further development of the shared bikes industry.
Research into other markets is also suggested, to obtain more customers’ perspectives and identify
further possible applications of blockchain to other fields of economic activity.