Clusters of topics and research designs in peer-to-peer accommodation platforms

This article is a literature review exploring academic papers focused on peer-to-peer accommodation platforms (P2P APs). The sample includes 189 published works indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, identified using 72 queries. The research question underlying the study is centered on clusters of topics and their research designs. Using a cross-citation approach, nine clusters are identified, and a research map is proposed structured around six blocks. These include i) conceptual papers analyzing the sharing economy (cluster 1); ii) demand-side papers based on the consumer behavior approach (cluster 2); iii) host papers exploring spatial patterns (cluster 3) and researching determinants of performance (cluster 4); iv) host-guest relationships, based on Airbnb (cluster 5) and on noncommercial platforms (cluster 9); v) social impact of P2P APs (cluster 6), and vi) effects generated on hotels, including economic impact (cluster 7) and comparison of Airbnb and hotel strategies (cluster 8).