To Differentiate Or Not To Differentiate? The Role of Product Characteristics in the Sharing Economy

2022 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Demircan, Muhammed; Schroer, Karsten; Fritze, Martin Paul; Ketter, Wolfgang

Abstract: An important ambiguity in the sharing economy literature concerns the role of p ... Expand

Abstract: An important ambiguity in the sharing economy literature concerns the role of product variety. Do physical product characteristics provide scope for differentiation in a sharing economy context, and if so, under which circumstances? Resolving this ambiguity is important as it can have large operational and strategic implications for sharing economy businesses. We use discrete choice modeling on a unique carsharing dataset and behavioral online experiments to study how users select between product options of varying quality and brand in a shared consumption context. We find that, in general, there is a trend towards utilitarian access-based consumption in which product characteristics and product brand matter less. However, we observe that hedonistic use cases tend to shift preferences significantly toward more premium products. Our results highlight the need for a more nuanced consideration of product differentiation in sharing economy research. Collapse

Topics: sharing platform ride sharing platform product differentiation application programming interface mobile application

Methods: experiment conjoint analysis analysis of covariance quasi experiment qualitativ observational study

Theories: theory of affordance

Assessing the Gap between Technology and the Environmental Sustainability of European Cities

2019 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 6

Authors: Akande, Adeoluwa; Cabral, Pedro; Casteleyn, Sven

Abstract: The growth of cities’ population increased the interest in the opportunities and ... Expand

Abstract: The growth of cities’ population increased the interest in the opportunities and challenges that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have on carbon footprint reduction, which fosters their environmental sustainability. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), six ICT-related variables from European Union (EU) cities were combined into a single two-dimensional ICT index. Then, through cluster analysis, cities were clustered into four groups based on the ICT index and Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Using ICT as an indicator of smartness and CO2 emissions as an indicator of sustainability, we show that it is possible for a city to be smart but not sustainable and vice versa. Results also indicate that there is a gap between cities in northern Europe, which are the top performers in both categories, and cities in south-eastern Europe, which do not perform as well. The need for a common strategy for achieving integrated smart, sustainable and inclusive growth at a European level is demonstrated. Collapse

Topics: systems development environmental sustainability information technology infrastructure climate change smart city

Methods: data transformation principal component analysis cluster analysis hierarchical clustering computational algorithm

Cultural and generational influences on privacy concerns: a qualitative study in seven European countries

2014 | European Journal of Information Systems | Citations: 38

Authors: Miltgen, Caroline Lancelot; Peyrat-Guillard, Dominique

Abstract: This research examines how European citizens decide to disclose and protect thei ... Expand

Abstract: This research examines how European citizens decide to disclose and protect their personal data and thereby reveals cultural and generational divides. Focus group discussions featured either young people, aged 15 to 24 years, or adults, between 25 and 70 years of age, and were conducted in seven EU member states. The results of a computer-aided text analysis with two complementary software packages suggest similarities and differences in participants’ views and privacy concerns (PC). Responsibility is relevant to personal data management, which represents a hotly contested issue. A geographical north–south divide appears for the importance of responsibility as opposed to trust. Moreover, people regard disclosure differently in the south (as a choice) and east (as forced) of Europe. Younger people express more positive attitudes toward data management, feel more responsible, and are more confident in their ability to prevent possible data misuse. Their lower PC and greater protective behaviours (i.e., a potential reversed privacy paradox) may help explain contradictory results in prior literature. These results offer significant and useful theoretical, managerial, and policy implications. Collapse

Topics: privacy national culture information privacy concern data management internet technology

Methods: focus group survey triangulation archival research chi squared test