Value co-creation in Couchsurfing – the Indonesian host perspective

Abstract

PurposeCollaborative consumption experiences in tourism have been examined widely, yet predominantly focused on guest perspectives. Using the sharing economy platform Couchsurfing, this study aims to use value co-creation to explore hosting experiences in non-monetary accommodation sharing in a developing country, including hosts’ motivations to participate, the range of social practices during hosting and the value outcomes achieved through hosting.Design/methodology/approachBased on a social constructivist paradigm, 20 in-depth interviews and 1 focus group were conducted with experienced Couchsurfing hosts in Indonesia.FindingsFindings highlight the exclusively intrinsic nature of hosts’ motivations and their subsequent impact on co-creational practices and value outcomes. Social practices revolve around the establishment and acquisition of social and cultural capital and providing guests with authentic local and cultural tourist experiences. Hosts reported value outcomes relating to friendship, knowledge, an improved sense of self and employment opportunities.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this research may not be transferable to Western accommodation sharing settings or more rural and less touristically developed regions within developing countries.Social implicationsIt is argued that hosting can contribute positively to host communities in developing countries by facilitating intercultural communication and knowledge transfer while enhancing cultural self-identity and professional advancement.Originality/valueThe majority of existing research on accommodation sharing has examined guest perspectives while being placed within predominantly Western contexts. This paper adds new knowledge by exploring the host perspective and examining the impacts of the sharing economy in a developing country.