Trust is the essential ingredient to any transaction, most importantly the exchanges between strangers that the collaborative economy relies upon.

FORBES: How To Profit From Your Reputation

Gupta claims e-speak will create a new collaborative economy.

FORBES: The Net's Big Thing

One of the major questions about the sharing economy or collaborative consumption companies is how these services affect local economies and what economic benefits they bring.

FORBES: Airbnb Had $56 Million Impact On San Francisco: Study

Along the Pacific coast, leaders of California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia have been working together since 2008 on the Pacific Coast Collaborative (PCC), promoting cross-border efforts to grow the economy, create jobs, advance clean, renewable energy, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

FORBES: Rebuilding In A Warming World

On regulation facing collaborative consumption companies, Shelby Clark, founder of RelayRides, said reputation systems in sharing economy can help with trust, verification of identities and other goals of regulation.

FORBES: Sharing Economy Provides Extra Cash And Creative Expression - SXSW