Role of blockchain for shaping trust in P2P secondhand vehicle platforms – a moderated mediation analysis

Purpose Peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplaces for secondhand products face persistent trust deficits that suppress transactions. This study aims to examine whether adopting innovation through blockchain technology increases users’ intention to transact in secondhand vehicles (SHV) on online P2P platforms. Design/methodology/approach Integrating swift trust and trust-based marketing theory, the study theorizes that application of blockchain technology enhances perceived quality thereby increasing trust and, in turn, transaction intention. The authors test this framework through an online experiment with n = 200 Generation Z participants from 20 emerging economies who buy or sell SHVs via online P2P platforms. The data was analyzed using the Conditional Process Analysis with PROCESS Macro. Findings The findings reveal that blockchain application on P2P platforms enhances information quality and user trust, which increase users’ intention to transact SHVs, an effect particularly pronounced for vehicles older than five years. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is among the first to empirically investigate the impact of blockchain technology on trust and transaction intentions in P2P marketplaces for SHVs, particularly within emerging economies. By focusing on employing a cross-national experimental design, the study offers unique insights into the intersection of technological innovation, trust formation and online consumer behavior in developing markets.