Abstract The adoption of transportation innovations can be driven by a variety of motivations, including functional, symbolic and societal considerations. We compare these motives regarding consumer choice of electric and shared mobility, using survey data from a sample of Canadian adopters and non-adopters of electric vehicles, car-sharing and shared ride-hailing (n = 529). Our framework includes four perception categories: private-functional (e.g., costs and convenience), private-symbolic (e.g., making good impressions), societal-functional (e.g., protecting the environment) and societal-symbolic (e.g., spreading inspiration). We apply two data analytic approaches, finding that positive private-functional perceptions are consistently associated with adoption across all three innovations, especially convenience and compatibility. Other patterns vary by innovation. Most notably, positive private-symbolic considerations are significantly associated with electric vehicle adoption. Results suggest that while functional considerations are important, symbolic motives can also be important but with more nuance.
Function, symbolism or society? Exploring consumer interest in electric and shared mobility
2023-02-21
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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