The effect of anti-consumption lifestyle on consumer’s attitude and purchase intention toward commercial sharing systems

Abstract

Purpose This study describes anti-consumption lifestyles and the effects of such lifestyles on the acceptance of commercial sharing systems (CSS). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the different types of anti-consumption lifestyles and their influence on consumer’s attitudes and purchase intentions toward CSS, and to verify the moderating effect of the variety-seeking tendency. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling is used with data collected from 537 consumers. The chosen types of CSS are the corporations of Socar (a car sharing service in Korea) and Airbnb (a global accommodation sharing service). Findings The results indicate that the anti-consumption lifestyles consist of frugality, voluntary simplicity, environmental protection, small luxury and tightwadism; anti-consumption lifestyles affect the acceptance of CSS; and the effects differed according to the variety-seeking tendency. These results suggest that anti-consumption lifestyles differently influence consumer’s behaviors toward using CSS, and there is a moderating effect partially depending upon the variety-seeking tendency. Originality/value The contribution of this study is that it verifies the different types of anti-consumption lifestyles and their effects on consumer’s attitudes and purchase intentions toward CSS, which is an area that has remained unexamined in the literature. Marketers will be able to use the knowledge obtained herein on the various types of anti-consumption lifestyles to motivate consumers to use sharing services, and will also be able to establish a consumer strategy in sharing business practice.