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Chapter 19 Do Hosts Discriminate?

DOI: 10.23912/9781911396512-3617

ISBN: 9781911396512

Published: December 2017

Component type: chapter

Published in: Peer-to-Peer Accommodation Networks

Parent DOI: 10.23912/9781911396512-3454

10.23912/9781911396512-3617

Abstract

On most peer-to-peer accommodation networks, people have to set up personal profiles, including a photo and some basic information about themselves. Typically, people wanting to book accommodation (guests) send a request to those offering it (hosts). Hosts assess the booking request and either decline or accept it. This chapter investigates factors that are associated with higher levels of declining booking requests by Airbnb hosts. Results suggest that declining requests is not associated with personal characteristics of the guest or host. Rather, hosts appear to be aware of the potential risks involved in letting strangers stay in their house (or room), and attempt to reduce this risk by assessing each guest inquiry at the booking level. These findings do not support recent claims of systematic discrimination on peer-to-peer accommodation networks.

Contributors

For the source title:

Cite as

Hajibaba & Dolnicar, 2017

Hajibaba, H. & Dolnicar, S. (2017) "Chapter 19 Do Hosts Discriminate?" In: Dolnicar, S. (ed) . Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers http://dx.doi.org/10.23912/9781911396512-3617

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