Examining the influencing factors of intention to share accommodations in online hospitality exchange networks |
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| Authors: | Sodam Kim Kyung Young Lee Chulmo Koo |
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| Institution: | 1. Graduate School of Information, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, South Korea;2. Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Ave, PO BOX 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 4R2;3. College of Hotel &4. Tourism Management, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, South Korea |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTCouchSurfing is a free social-network-based online hospitality exchange network, aptly representing a new sharing economy phenomenon. Based on social capital theory and previous literature, this study attempts to answer why hosts help strangers without any expected economic benefit within online hospitality exchange networks. An empirical study based on a Web survey conducted with CouchSurfing hosts reveals that the most identified antecedents (enjoy helping, shared narratives, desire to make friends, and reciprocity) are significantly related to hosts’ intention to share accommodations. Interestingly, the overshadowing effect of trust in CouchSurfing on the intention to share accommodations is also found. |
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| Keywords: | Intention to share accommodations social capital theory trust CouchSurfing online hospitality exchange networks sharing economy |
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