An Empirical Investigation of Ridesharing and New Vehicle Purchase

Jing Gong (), Brad N. Greenwood () and Yiping (Amy) Song ()
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Jing Gong: McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
Brad N. Greenwood: School of Business, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Yiping (Amy) Song: NEOMA Business School – Campus de Reims, 51100 Reims, Champagne-Ardenne, France

Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 2023, vol. 25, issue 3, 884-902

Abstract: Problem definition : In this work, we examine how ridesharing platforms affect changes in short-term vehicle purchasing. On the one hand, if the introduction of such platforms motivates owners to use the idle capacity of their existing vehicles to accrue rents, vehicle sales might fall. On the other hand, if the platform induces would-be drivers to purchase new vehicles in order to participate, vehicle sales might rise. Academic/practical relevance : Whereas operations management researchers have begun to broach this subject analytically, this work provides empirical evidence of the impact of ridesharing platforms on new vehicle ownership. Further, we assess heterogeneity in the effect across vehicle type and location. Methodology : We examine this tension using a unique data set of new vehicle registrations in China. In doing so, we exploit the variation in the timing of Uber entry using a difference-in-difference approach. Results : Findings suggest Uber entry is associated with a significant short-term increase in private new vehicle ownership, indicating that consumers actively change their stock of held resources to capture excess rents offered by the platform. These effects exclusively manifest among vehicle brands that qualify for the platform. Further, inasmuch as sales of vehicles with smaller displacement increase more than large-displacement vehicles, results indicate that the effect of Uber entry varies considerably across vehicle types. Finally, results indicate that the effects are stronger in locations where established public transportation options are weaker. Managerial implications : Results provide initial evidence that manufacturers can benefit from the emergence of the sharing economy, especially manufacturers whose products align with the needs of platform participants. For policy makers, our findings further undercut claims made by platforms that the individuals working on them are exploiting already existing resources, suggesting some form of nascent professionalism on the part of platform workers.

Keywords: sharing economy; platform; ridesharing; car sales; durable goods; difference in difference; relative time model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:inm:ormsom:v:25:y:2023:i:3:p:884-902

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