Article

Freedom From Ownership: An Exploration of Access-Based Consumption

Consumers are increasingly attracted to the idea of accessing products instead of owning them. This shift is important to businesses as they pursue the growing market of consumers engaging in alternative forms of consumption. Access-based business models align consumer self-interest with responsible consumption behaviors, enabling consumers, businesses and society to benefit through this unique form of exchange. A multi-method approach examines the perceived motivations that impact consumers’ willingness to access products through socially networked short-term rentals. The results suggest that multiple factors drive consumer attitudes. A cluster analysis reveals four distinct groups of consumers with varying dispositions towards access- based consumption: Fickle Floaters, Premium Keepers, Conscious Materialists and Change Seekers. This research provides an actionable segmentation framework for business practice. Released with a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License

Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.