Behavioral drivers of regime switch in the sharing economy: an empirical analysis of post-adoption consumer behavior

Purpose The emergence of the sharing economy (SE) has challenged traditional consumption patterns, raising concerns about a potential regime switch, whereby SE adoption may become a permanent alternative to traditional consumption for specific products and services. Given the strategic relevance of this phenomenon, this study aims to examine the determinants of regime switch across the accommodation, mobility and consumer goods industries. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 398 users of SE platforms and analyzed using a robust regression model combined with the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) technique. Findings The findings reveal the limited role of sustainability concerns and the greater importance of economic, social and anti-consumption motivations, together with consumer satisfaction, in explaining regime switch. The results also highlight important cross-industry differences. In the hospitality industry, the main barrier to switching is the perceived lack of choice, whereas in the mobility and consumer goods industries the strongest obstacle is consumers’ attachment to private ownership. Finally, intensive use of specific sharing configurations – such as bike and scooter sharing, home exchange, clothing exchange and technology exchange – significantly increases consumers’ propensity to switch. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study contributes to the literature on regime switch in SE by providing one of the first quantitative cross-industry investigations of the phenomenon. Drawing on the lens of Psychological Ownership (PO) Theory, it explains the behavioral and experiential conditions under which consumers may transition from traditional consumption to SE. The findings also provide managerial implications for both SE platforms and incumbent firms seeking to refine their customer retention strategies.