Sharing Economy: Post Adoption and Performance

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis

Abstract

This dissertation addresses the question “How can peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing platforms retain and win back profitable service providers and consumers?”. A structured review focusing on P2P sharing platform literature published in the basket of eight Association for Information Systems (AIS) journals is first conducted. Findings are structured around the theoretical and methodological profiles adopted by publications in eight top tier journals specializing in the Information Systems (IS) field. Based on the findings from the literature review, two different approaches are carried out to answer the abovementioned question, each leading to a different study.
The model proposed in the first study draws on self-determination theory to improve our understanding of the motivation behind the use of sharing economy (SE) services and continuance intention. A Key finding concerns the use of SE services, indicating that use mediates the effect of individuals’ motivations on SE continuance. In particular, individuals are more likely to increase their use of SE services if their use experience is enjoyable and useful, is supported by key individuals of reference, allowing them to foresee the impact of their participation, providing them with the chance to improve their financial situation. The recurrent use of SE services will allow individuals to accrue the respective benefits, which will increase the likelihood of continuing to use SE services.
The model built and tested in the second study is cross-disciplinary and formulates the hosts’ decision-making process in P2P accommodation services as a task-performance problem. Evidence shows that hosts’ task performance is a synergetic relationship between the technological capabilities of P2P accommodation platforms (representation) and task-specific host capabilities (self-disclosure). In particular, results show a significant impact of self-disclosure on hosts’ task-performance in rich representational environments, as is the case with P2P accommodation platforms.
The model built and tested in the third study also focused on hosts providing P2P accommodation services, draws on process virtualization theory, and on hosts’ cognitive appraisal to explain SE continuance. Relevant findings concern the ability of P2P accommodation platforms to fulfil the requirements of the host decision-making process while evaluating a booking request. P2P accommodation platform operators wishing to successfully engage hosts in long-term use should address hosts’ needs to interact with guests and offer rapid transaction support services, but also enable proper representation of the characteristics of properties relevant to the transaction and connect hosts with guests internationally. Furthermore, host commitment to the platform can be heightened by stimulating hosts’ perceptions of diagnosticity while using the platform.
A survey method is applied in all studies and the partial least square path structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique is used to test the models. This collection of studies provides (i) recommendations for increasing the use of SE services and fostering individuals’ long-term engagement in SE services; (ii) informs the design of P2P accommodation platforms and (iii) puts forward suggestions to P2P accommodation platform operators for improving the performance of short-term rental services. The last chapter reports the main conclusions and limitations of this dissertation.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS)
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Oliveira, Tiago, Supervisor
Award date17 Jun 2024
Publication statusPublished - 17 Jun 2024

Keywords

  • Continuance intention
  • Task-performance
  • Sharing economy
  • P2P accommodation platforms
  • Task-specific user capabilities
  • Digitally mediated communication
  • Self-determination theory
  • Process virtualization theory

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