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The Sharing Economy has been growing in the last decades with its original concept evolving into a more traditional economic model. Previous studies found different conclusions about the sustainability impact of this expansion. The social economy appears to solve numerous issues of the economy by focusing on the distribution of benefits between society instead of profit-maximizing. The aim of this research paper is to design a model that explains how the social economy is a possible solution to the situation generated by the expansion of the sharing economy. To design the model, accommodation sharing platforms Airbnb and Couchsurfing together with Fairbnb, as a platform of the social economy, are analysed in order to solve the possible problems identified. To prove the models consistency, a quantitative study has been conducted with the use of a questionnaire and data from a secondary source. The analysis of the results demonstrates that Airbnb´s problems are related to the rise of prices due to the multi-listing profiles and that displacement of residents or the difficult compliance of regulation are a result of a profit orientation and professionalization of the platform. Moreover, results show the model´s coherence and how Fairbnb could not only solve the problems identified such as the limitation of prices or compliance of regulation but generate a positive impact on the local communities as well. The research paper recommends in its conclusion that it would be advisable for Fairbnb to consider Airbnb´s problems and explains how to solve them to succeed and become a sustainable alternative to Airbnb.
