Exploring different appraisals in deviant sharing behaviors: A mixed-methods study

The phenomenon of malicious behaviors in the sharing economy has been burgeoning in practice but remains understudied in academia. By integrating protection motivation theory and social exchange theory, this study adopted a mixed-methods approach to investigate the appraisal process of deviant sharing behaviors. To produce groundbreaking insights, we employed a sequential design that combined qualitative and quantitative studies. In Phase 1, we performed 30 semi-structured, in-depth interviews to explore the critical factors of benefit appraisals and personal attributes in deviant sharing behaviors. Drawing on the interpretive findings of the qualitative investigation, we built a theoretical model and developed research hypotheses for empirical tests. In Phase 2, we validated our theoretical framework by analyzing survey data from 420 participants. This study is an initial examination to understand the nascent phenomenon of deviant sharing behaviors and has managerial implications for regulating user behavior in the sharing economy.