Developing and validating a scale of host territoriality in peer-to-peer accommodation

Abstract

The idea of human territoriality is highly relevant to home-sharing services, which involve the sharing of private space under the sphere of business. To assist examinations of human territoriality in home-sharing contexts, this paper attempted to develop and validate a scale of host territoriality from the perspective of P2P accommodation guests. Four studies with diverse data sources were conducted. The final scale had four dimensions (i.e., accessibility, house rules, signs of ownership, and intrusion) and 18 items. Results of known-group comparisons and a variety of criterion validity tests demonstrated good construct validity. Host territoriality, specified as a superordinate construct, was found to negatively affect guests’ experience satisfaction and intentions to reuse or recommend P2P accommodation rentals. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed based on the findings.