Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20867/thm.32.4.3
Do we pay or exchange? A comparative analysis of the prediction of motivations to use short-term accommodation platforms
Judit Barrullas
; Universitat Rovira i Virgili Business Management
Soledad Morales-Pérez
; Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Economy and Business
*
Eleni Papaoikonomou
; Universitat Rovira i Virgili Business Management
Carmen Pacheco-Bernal
; Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Economy and Business
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to predict consumers’ behavioral intentions regarding the use of shortterm accommodation platforms (STAP). Drawing on the decomposed theory of planned behavior
(DTPB), we provide a nuanced analysis of the motivations that shape STAP use, distinguishing
between payment-based and exchange-based platforms.
Methodology/Design/Approach – Data were collected through an online survey of users of
both payment and exchange STAP, and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS). The study
examines how motivations are linked to platform rules, exchange systems, and underlying values,
contributing to the literature on collaborative consumption and providing insights for tourism
practice and platform management.
Findings – The results demonstrate that attitudes and perceived behavioral control significantly
influence the intention to use STAP. For payment-based platforms, attitudes are strongly conditioned
by authenticity, compatibility, economic utility, social utility, and trust. In contrast, for exchangebased platforms, compatibility and social utility emerge as the most relevant determinants.
Originality of the research – To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate user
motivations for both payment and exchange STAP within a single theoretical model. By applying
the DTPB, we extend understanding of consumer behavior in the platform economy and highlight
the differentiated drivers of user intention across platform types.
Keywords
short-term accommodation platforms; motivations; decomposed theory of planned behavior; PLS; collaborative consumption
Hrčak ID:
349101
URI
Publication date:
10.7.2026.
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