Sharing rides and strides toward sustainability: an investigation of carpooling in an emerging market

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer intentions toward carpooling as a collaborative consumption practice. The paper uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in studying consumer intentions toward carpooling. It extends the theory to add personal norms as a major component in examining consumer intentions. It also adds two main motivational factors for collaborative consumption, which are economic benefits and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a conclusive descriptive study using surveys. The research sample consists of 500 respondents from millennials. The study uses structural equation modeling to analyze the survey results.

Findings

Results showed that subjective norms and attitudes had the most significant impact on intentions toward carpooling, followed by perceived behavioral control (PBC) and personal norms. Economic benefits and sustainability also showed a significant impact on attitudes toward carpooling practice. Measurement and structural models showed a good model fit.

Originality/value

The paper provides original data on consumer intentions toward carpooling as a type collaborative consumption behavior using the TPB with the inclusion of personal norms. The research also contributes to the growing nuances of sustainability in the context of the sharing economy. The study is considered the first of its kind to combine the TPB, personal norms and motivators of collaborative consumption, including economic benefits and sustainability, to examine their impact on intentions toward carpooling.

Citation

Abutaleb, S., El-Bassiouny, N. and Hamed, S. (2021), "Sharing rides and strides toward sustainability: an investigation of carpooling in an emerging market", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 4-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-02-2020-0031