The Sharing Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development: Consumers' Perceptions

The sharing economy is an economic model that facilitates access to goods and services by eliminating the need for individual ownership, thereby enabling a more efficient use of resources. This model is closely aligned with the sustainable developmentgoals and fosters environmental, social, and economic benefits. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing attitudes toward and intentions to participate in the sharing economy among individuals aged 18 and over living in the provinces of Istanbul, Adana, and Aksaray. Accordingly, the study thoroughly examines attitudes toward the sharing economy and participation intentions as dependent variables, along with three main motivational factors affecting them: environmental benefit, social benefit, and economic benefit. The study used factor analysis, reliability analysis, and logistic regression analysis methods. The findings indicate a high level of agreement among participants regarding statements about the sharing economy. Social and economic benefits motivate behavior, though less strongly than environmental benefits. Participation intention is driven primarily by social benefit, followed by environmental and economic benefits, and overall the sharing economy is viewed positively with strong potential for sustainable development. Based on these findings, it can be argued that economic, social, and environmental benefits should be more effectively highlighted to encourage broader adoption of the sharing economy. Adopting this model, which significantly contributes to sustainability, as a development tool that balances economic growth with environmental and social well-being, can play a crucial role in achieving global sustainability goals.