Determining the reasons of university students 'participation in online sharing platforms

Today, it is possible to come across platforms and applications that provide communication, interaction and exchange between goods and service providers and the buyers of these products or services. In recent years, all consumers, especially young people who use information and communication technologies more effectively, have started to show interest in these online sharing platforms. Especially the rapid adoption of these platforms by young people, the increase in financial investments in the platforms, the innovation and growth potential they have make the subject a subject to be researched. However, qualitative and quantitative studies about the reasons of participation, which are thought to be the basis for other studies on the subject, are not at a sufficient level. In this context, the main purpose of the study is to determine the reasons for university students to participate in online sharing platforms, and to reveal the relationships between these reasons and their intention to participate. It is hoped that the data obtained from the study will contribute to the emergence of more participatory friendly platforms. In the study, a qualitative research was carried out to reveal the reasons for participation, the factors thought to affect the participation intention as a result of the qualitative research were determined and a model proposal was made by using these factors. Structural Equation Modeling analysis was used to test the model and research hypotheses. As a result of the analysis, it was revealed that the model and sample were compatible. Most of the hypotheses put forward have been confirmed. It was found that material benefit, social interaction, trust in comments and ratings, and sustainability positively affect the intention to participate. In addition, it was investigated whether the factors affecting the intention to participate have a significant difference in terms of demographic variables such as gender, age, income level, internet and social media use. Keywords: Online sharing platforms, Sharing economy, Participation intention, Motivation