Factors influencing the adoption of sharing economy in B2B context in China: Findings from PLS-SEM and fsQCA

A model incorporates factors that may drive and hinder B2B firms to adopt the SE. Both motivations and constraints significantly affect B2B SE adoption. Reciprocal benefits have emerged as an important motivating factor. Top management support mediates the effect of motivations on B2B SE adoption. The findings contribute to a better understanding of SE adoption in the B2B context. The birth of the sharing economy (SE) has been linked to a paradigm shift towards sustainable consumption, resulting from economic, environmental, and societal pressure. As a disruptive innovation, the SE presents both opportunities and challenges to businesses. However, prior studies on the SE have predominantly focused on the business-to-consumer (B2C) domain. To examine the factors that influence business-to-business (B2B) SE adoption, we developed a research model based on the diffusion of innovation theory, the Technology-Organization-Environment framework, and the social exchange theory. We empirically analyzed a sample of 127 Chinese companies by applying partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results from the PLS-SEM indicate that motivations affect a firm's intention to adopt the SE indirectly through top management support, whereas constraints affect a firm's adoption intention directly. It also suggests that reciprocity benefits are a salient motivating factor. The fSQCA findings reveal that there are three causal conditions that lead to high adoption intention.