Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2023.2217892
Investigating the effect of service quality dimensions on travellers’ satisfaction with couchsurfing accommodation and subjective wellbeing in a sharing economy
Waseem Bahadur
Ahsan Ali
Abstract
This study examines service quality dimensions that influence
travellers’ satisfaction with peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodations
and their subjective well-being in a sharing economy. Structured
equation modelling was used to test the model based on an
online survey of 183 couchsurfers with prior Couchsurfing experience.
According to the findings, assurance and convenience significantly
impacted travellers’ satisfaction with Couchsurfing
accommodations. Furthermore, the findings revealed that couchsurfers
had low expectations for tangibles, followed by adequacy
service supply and understanding and caring regarding network
lodgings. Besides, satisfaction with Couchsurfing accommodation
positively influenced travellers’ subjective well-being, and satisfaction
mediates the relationship between service quality and subjective
well-being. Results showed that tangibles, adequacy
service supply, and understanding and caring are not significant
for couchsurfers because Couchsurfing focuses primarily on free
hosting of couchsurfers and developing social networking
between hosts and guests rather than providing amenities.
Furthermore, the paper suggests that focusing on assurance and
improving the Couchsurfing platform’s reviews and profiles system
can increase trust among couchsurfers, contributing to a better
travel experience.
Keywords
couchsurfing; service quality; satisfaction; well-being; peer-to-peer accommodation; sharing economy
Hrčak ID:
314887
URI
Publication date:
8.6.2023.
Visits: 346 *