Uberization of the Economy and the Economics of Uberization. Origins, Evolution and Consequences in the Labor Market: The Case of France

Uberization: an all-in-one concept in vogue that synthesizes both the best and the worse from the latest economic and technological revolutions. It symbolizes a brand (Uber), a way of doing business (Uberize), a way of going out of business (being Uberized) and, perhaps most importantly, constant change. Not surprisingly most of the experts who have tried to define it appeal almost instinctively to the Schumpeterian notion of creative destruction as a useful precedent. Uberization is sometimes confused with other concepts such as sharing or collaborative economies, or even with disruptive technologies; but it is none, while at the same time encompasses them all. The purpose of this paper, more than simply defining or differentiating what the concept actually stands for, will be to try to illustrate what the major consequences of Uberization are on the real economy. Some precedents will be analyzed so as to understand its origin, evolution and future of Urbanization. The analysis will depart from the economic and technological fields, through a literary review; will subsequently extend to a concrete sector (riding), in a particular country (France), via qualitative examination (interviews and conferences); and will finally present some conclusive quantitative data (study cases) that will facilitate a wider comprehension of the phenomenon