Publications
Publications
- March 2024
- HBS Case Collection
Sonder Holdings Inc.: Using Technology to Solve Hospitality's Frictions
By: John A. Deighton and Leora Kornfeld
Abstract
Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 922-039. Digital disruption is challenging the hospitality industry. Traditional hotels face competition from platforms, most visibly Airbnb but also the homeshare divisions of online travel agencies such as Expedia and Booking.com, that bring new kinds of short-term accommodation inventory to market.
The clash between hotels and these platforms pits the predictability of hotel brands against the lower prices of the new inventory, among other dimensions of competition. Into this battlefield comes Sonder, determined to offer predictable branded quality at the price of a homeshare.
The clash between hotels and these platforms pits the predictability of hotel brands against the lower prices of the new inventory, among other dimensions of competition. Into this battlefield comes Sonder, determined to offer predictable branded quality at the price of a homeshare.
Keywords
Digital Platforms; Disruptive Innovation; Competition; Market Participation; Accommodations Industry
Citation
Deighton, John A., and Leora Kornfeld. "Sonder Holdings Inc.: Using Technology to Solve Hospitality's Frictions." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 924-302, March 2024.