Why people participate in the sharing economy: an empirical investigation of Uber

TLDR

The study addresses gaps in sharing‑economy literature by examining how perceived risks, benefits, trust, and platform qualities influence users’ participation intentions. It systematically investigates the impact of inhibiting, motivating, and technological factors on users’ intention to participate in Uber. The authors surveyed Uber users in Hong Kong and tested a structural‑equation‑modeling framework to analyze these factors. Across 295 respondents, perceived risks, benefits, trust, and platform qualities were significant predictors of intention to use Uber.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of inhibiting, motivating, and technological factors on users’ intention to participate in the sharing economy. Design/methodology/approach A self-reported online survey was conducted among Uber users in Hong Kong. A total of 295 valid responses were collected. The research model was empirically tested using the structural equation modeling technique. Findings The results suggested that perceived risks, perceived benefits, trust in the platform, and perceived platform qualities were significant predictors of users’ intention to participate in Uber. Research limitations/implications This study bridged the research gaps in the sharing economy literature by examining the effects of perceived risks, perceived benefits, and trust in the platform on users’ intention to participate in the sharing economy. Moreover, this study enriched the extended valence framework by incorporating perceived platform qualities into the research model, responding to the calls for the inclusion of technological variables in information systems research. Practical implications The findings provided practitioners with insights into enhancing users’ intention to participate in the sharing economy. Originality/value This study presented one of the first attempts to systematically examine the effects of inhibiting, motivating, and technological factors on users’ intention to participate in the sharing economy.