In the modern world, the sharing economy is becoming more relevant and important. The modern world is facing new challenges such as the development of technology, globalization and changing social values. Under these circumstances, people are increasingly turning to the collective use of resources and services. However, to manage this process effectively, appropriate theoretical concepts and research are needed. Recent decades and the digital transformation of social life have introduced new theoretical foundations for consumption processes, leading to the emergence of new directions and schools, and increasing the interest of the scientific community in interdisciplinary research. In this article, the authors consider the important role of institutionalism in the theoretical explanation of the sharing economy. The main characteristics of the collaborative economy and the approaches of the classics, neoclassicists, marginalists and institutionalists to personal consumption are presented. The main theoretical concepts of institutionalism about the consumption of individuals in combination with the peculiarities of the sharing economy are revealed. As a perspective for further research, it is proposed to strengthen the integration of both theoretical approaches and directions to the study of the sharing economy and apply an interdisciplinary approach. The materials can be used by graduate students, undergraduates, bachelors in the educational process, researchers for further research of problems, as well as for teaching special courses in management, economics and national economy management.