The effects of Airbnb’s price positioning on hotel performance

This study examined the relationship between the price positioning of Airbnb listings, measured in price difference between a hotel property and the nearby Airbnb listings as well as price dispersion among these Airbnb listings, and the performance of nearby hotels. An exploratory analysis using field data points collected from the Airbnb listings and their hotel counterparts in the metropolitan area of Austin, Texas between Quarter 3, 2008 (debut of Airbnb in Austin) and Quarter 2, 2011 reveals intriguing findings. The entry of Airbnb listings was penetrative to local hotels. However, the price positioning of Airbnb, manifested in higher average price as compared to nearby hotels, as well as larger price dispersion among individual listings, significantly mitigated such penetration. Important theoretical contributions and practical implications for hotels are discussed.     

Does Airbnb have a homogenous impact? Examining Airbnb’s effect on hotels with different organizational structures

Although a number of studies have examined Airbnb’s impact on hotels, previous studies have yielded mixed results and are limited in their geographical scope. Additionally, the impact of Airbnb on hotels with different organizational structures has not been previously analyzed. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is threefold: 1) to add to our understanding of the impact of an increase of Airbnb inventory by clarifying previously inconclusive results; 2) to examine the extent to which Airbnb listings affect hotel performance measures in the overall U.S. hotel market; and 3) to investigate the influence of Airbnb on key hotel metrics by elaborating the effect of Airbnb on hotels operated under different organizational forms- chain-managed, franchised, and independent. Our results show an adverse impact of Airbnb on hotel RevPAR and ADR metrics across different organizational structures. However, interestingly, Airbnb listings did not negatively affect occupancy numbers. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

What makes Airbnb likeable? Exploring the nexus between service attractiveness,country image,perceived authenticity and experience from a social exchange theory perspective within an emerging economy context

As a result of the growth of the notions of collaborative consumption and sharing economy in the tourism industry, this paper applies social exchange theory to investigate how the Airbnb platform influences the Airbnb experience and authenticity, which might lead consumers to like Airbnb and influence their behavioural patterns. By recruiting 466 tourists who had stayed in Airbnb accommodation in Istanbul, Turkey via travel-related Telegram, Twitter, travel blogs, and Facebook groups, this study revealed the importance of the platform and its features in enhancing service attractiveness, perceived authenticity and experience. Furthermore, the results revealed that visitors’ experiences have an influence on Airbnb likability, where Airbnb likability influences their intention to re-visit and to recommend. Significant implications for tourism planning, management and researchers are highlighted.     

What prevents consumers that are aware of Airbnb from using the platform? A mixed methods approach

The hospitality sector is now characterised by the co-existence of traditional providers and sharing economy enterprises. It is important to better understand what prevents the use of peer-to-peer accommodation rentals in the tourism marketplace. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, this study first examines travellers’ Airbnb use constraints, and then profiles 252 Airbnb non-users based on their constraints and characteristics. The findings suggest that travellers do not use Airbnb because of distrust in the providers, in the platform and in other users, as well as perceived risk and unfamiliarity. Loss of service quality, lack of local experience, legal and regulatory issues, and disinterest also prevented consumers to book Airbnb accommodations. A cluster analysis divided non-users into three segments: Traditional travellers, Sharing economy misbelievers and Airbnb prospective users. Significant differences based on age confirmed that young travellers are more confident in using peer-to-peer accommodation platforms and more interested in the philosophy.     

What caused the rise of Airbnb? An examination of key macroeconomic factors

The social and economic implications of the Airbnb phenomenon have been the subject of much research. Yet, the academic literature on Airbnb is nascent. Specifically, the issue of whether major macroeconomic conditions affect the supply of Airbnb has not been investigated. To address this gap, we propose a conceptual model that explains the determinants of Airbnb supply and examine the extent to which major macroeconomic factors affect the supply of Airbnb. Specifically, we analyze the effects of hotel room rates (ADR), hotel demand, tourism demand, house prices, gross domestic product (GDP), wages and unemployment on the supply of Airbnb in 50 U.S. states. Results show that increases in hotel ADR, house prices, and GDP have contributed to an increase in the supply of Airbnb, whereas increases in unemployment rates and wages have adverse effects on Airbnb supply. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed within realms of macroeconomic theory.     

A macroeconomic perspective on Airbnb’s global presence

The rise of the P2P economy has been fueled by a range of social, economic and technological factors, but limited research has been focused on the P2P economy from a macroeconomic perspective. Therefore this study tried to identify the macroeconomic factors affecting Airbnb’s global presence. In order to explain the number of rentals available in different capitals, we considered several macroeconomic factors, such as countries’ degree of technological development, economic size, the relative size of the tourism and travel industries, tourist arrivals, nominal exchange rate, the average level of economic development (or well-being), and their productivity level. This study found that the total number of listings is positively correlated with the development index, the contribution of trade and tourism to GDP, the nominal exchange rate and negatively with GDP per employed person. Airbnb is more popular in countries where the population is technologically savvy. Another significant variable is represented by the relative size of the tourism and trade industries in the country. Implications of research findings and directions for future research are suggested.     

The application of Aristotle’s rhetorical theory to the sharing economy: an empirical study of Airbnb

ABSTRACT

Sharing economy businesses require extensive trust-based communication between users and service providers to facilitate users’ positive persuasion processes. Based on Aristotle’s rhetorical theory, this study identifies three key persuasive cues (credibility, emotional bonding, and accommodation characteristics) and validates their roles in establishing users’ trust in an Airbnb setting. The moderating role of interactivity is further analyzed. Research findings from a survey sample of 171 Airbnb users indicate that persuasive cues are positively associated with trust in Airbnb hosts, which significantly leads to Airbnb brand trust. Interestingly, the moderating role of interactivity is only found in the relationship between emotional bonding and trust in Airbnb hosts. This study contributes to a better understanding of the factors that affect users’ trust building in the sharing economy context, and it offers guidance for platform providers to better operate their businesses by highlighting the important roles of persuasive cues and interactivity in users’ trust-building processes.