Decisions, decisions: variations in decision-making for access-based consumption

ABSTRACT

Consumer decision-making is a focal interest of consumer research and will remain important as marketplace trends, such as the growing prevalence of access-based consumption, continue to evolve. Access-based consumption provides market-mediated transactions where no transfer of ownership takes place. First, a qualitative study explores the differences that arise from viewing decision-making from the perspective of access rather than ownership. Additionally, a multi-group structural model seeks to provide further insights into the variations in decision-making for product access versus purchase. Findings of this research suggest access-based consumption decisions differ from ownership decisions based on choice strategy, choice commitment, ownership commitment, valuation of choice and post-purchase evaluation.