PurposeThis article examines the nature of service provision in the platform-based collaborative economy from the perspective of entrepreneurship theories. It departs from a knowledge gap about the individual and contextual determinants of service provision through digital platforms. By exploring these determinants for the service provision in two main sectors of the collaborative economy, transportation and accommodation, the study provides a first conceptual introduction of these activities and their nature for the existing entrepreneurship research.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based upon Eurobarometer microdata (2018), covering 28 European countries with about 27,000 observations, and uses a seemingly unrelated Probit model.FindingsThe likelihood of service provision through platforms in the collaborative economy is highest for individuals aged 25–34 years but decreases continuously with age. Occupation, sex and population density of the place of residence are other relevant determinants. By contrast, the regulatory system and GDP per capita of the region are not relevant.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings illuminate the under-studied individual and contextual determinants related to individuals engaging with entrepreneurial activities in the collaborative economy. Future research should investigate the role of previous self-employment, skills and spatial context.Practical implicationsThe collaborative economy is still a marginal sector in Europe that is likely to grow bigger. Particularly the young, highly educated entrepreneurial persons located in urban regions may spur this expected growth. Supporting policy measures aimed at this social stratum might foster digital entrepreneurship and contribute to growth in the digital economy.Originality/valueBy exploring the individual and contextual determinants for the service provision in the two main sectors of the platform-based collaborative economy, transportation and accommodation, the study provides a first conceptual introduction of these activities and their nature into existing entrepreneurship research.

中文翻译：

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基于平台的协作经济中创业服务提供的个人背景决定因素

目的本文从创业理论的角度考察了基于平台的合作经济中服务提供的本质。它偏离了关于通过数字平台提供服务的个人和背景决定因素的知识差距。通过探讨协同经济交通和住宿两个主要部门提供服务的这些决定因素，该研究为现有的创业研究提供了这些活动及其性质的第一个概念性介绍。设计/方法/方法分析基于 Eurobarometer microdata (2018)，覆盖 28 个欧洲国家，约有 27,000 个观测值，并使用看似无关的 Probit 模型。调查结果 在协作经济中，通过平台提供服务的可能性在 25-34 岁的个体中最高，但随着年龄的增长而不断下降。居住地的职业、性别和人口密度是其他相关的决定因素。相比之下，该地区的监管体系和人均 GDP 不相关。研究局限性/影响研究结果阐明了与在协作经济中从事创业活动的个人相关的未被充分研究的个人和背景决定因素。未来的研究应该调查以前的自营职业、技能和空间背景的作用。实际意义协作经济在欧洲仍然是一个边缘部门，可能会变得更大。尤其是年轻人，位于城市地区的受过高等教育的企业家可能会刺激这种预期的增长。针对这一社会阶层的支持政策措施可能会促进数字创业并促进数字经济的增长。原创性/价值通过探索基于平台的协作经济、交通和住宿这两个主要部门的服务提供的个人和背景决定因素，该研究首次将这些活动及其性质引入到现有的创业研究中。