IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/joreco/v68y2022ics0969698922001448.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

When a clean scent soothes the soul: Developing a positive attitude toward sharing service space with strangers

Author

Listed:
  • Ardelet, Caroline
  • Fleck, Nathalie
  • Grobert, Julien

Abstract

In the context of sharing services, this research examines how ambient scent can improve the perception of the presence of other sharers. Four experiments conducted in real conditions (open-plan workspaces, car-sharing services, rail-stations, and library) show that the diffusion of a clean scent promotes positive attitudes toward sharing space with others. Three alternative explanations are assessed: 1) perceived cleanliness of the space; 2) other users' behaviors; and 3) user's mood. The results indicate that throughout the four experiments, the effect of scents is mediated only by the positive mood induced by the scent.

Suggested Citation

  • Ardelet, Caroline & Fleck, Nathalie & Grobert, Julien, 2022. "When a clean scent soothes the soul: Developing a positive attitude toward sharing service space with strangers," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joreco:v:68:y:2022:i:c:s0969698922001448
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.103051
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969698922001448
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.103051?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Correa, Juan C. & Garzón, Wilmer & Brooker, Phillip & Sakarkar, Gopal & Carranza, Steven A. & Yunado, Leidy & Rincón, Alejandro, 2019. "Evaluation of collaborative consumption of food delivery services through web mining techniques," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 45-50.
    2. Belk, Russell W, 1985. "Materialism: Trait Aspects of Living in the Material World," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 12(3), pages 265-280, December.
    3. Leenders, Mark A.A.M. & Smidts, Ale & Haji, Anouar El, 2019. "Ambient scent as a mood inducer in supermarkets: The role of scent intensity and time-pressure of shoppers," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 270-280.
    4. Lawson, Stephanie J. & Gleim, Mark R. & Perren, Rebeca & Hwang, Jiyoung, 2016. "Freedom from ownership: An exploration of access-based consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 2615-2623.
    5. Spangenberg, Eric R. & Grohmann, Bianca & Sprott, David E., 2005. "It's beginning to smell (and sound) a lot like Christmas: the interactive effects of ambient scent and music in a retail setting," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 58(11), pages 1583-1589, November.
    6. Claudia Isac, 2019. "Coworking Spaces – A Source for Developing Creative Business," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 36-41, December.
    7. Chebat, Jean-Charles & Robicheaux, Robert, 2001. "The interplay of emotions and cognitions of consumers in the retail environment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 87-88, November.
    8. Park, Hyejune & Joyner Armstrong, Cosette M., 2019. "Is money the biggest driver? Uncovering motives for engaging in online collaborative consumption retail models for apparel," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 42-50.
    9. Andrea C. Morales & Darren W. Dahl & Jennifer J. Argo, 2018. "Amending the Law of Contagion: A General Theory of Property Transference," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 3(4), pages 555-565.
    10. Chan, Wing Yin & To, Chester K.M. & Chu, Wai Ching, 2015. "Materialistic consumers who seek unique products: How does their need for status and their affective response facilitate the repurchase intention of luxury goods?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 1-10.
    11. Fabrizio Di Muro & Theodore J. Noseworthy, 2013. "Money Isn't Everything, but It Helps If It Doesn't Look Used: How the Physical Appearance of Money Influences Spending," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 39(6), pages 1330-1342.
    12. Rob Eisinga & Manfred Grotenhuis & Ben Pelzer, 2013. "The reliability of a two-item scale: Pearson, Cronbach, or Spearman-Brown?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(4), pages 637-642, August.
    13. Holbrook, Morris B & Batra, Rajeev, 1987. "Assessing the Role of Emotions as Mediators of Consumer Responses to Advertising," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 14(3), pages 404-420, December.
    14. Kramer, Thomas & Block, Lauren G., 2014. "Like Mike: Ability contagion through touched objects increases confidence and improves performance," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 124(2), pages 215-228.
    15. Burroughs, James E & Rindfleisch, Aric, 2002. "Materialism and Well-Being: A Conflicting Values Perspective," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 29(3), pages 348-370, December.
    16. Barnes, Stuart J. & Mattsson, Jan, 2016. "Understanding current and future issues in collaborative consumption: A four-stage Delphi study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 200-211.
    17. Ladhari, Riadh & Souiden, Nizar & Dufour, Béatrice, 2017. "The role of emotions in utilitarian service settings: The effects of emotional satisfaction on product perception and behavioral intentions," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 10-18.
    18. Benoit, Sabine & Baker, Thomas L. & Bolton, Ruth N. & Gruber, Thorsten & Kandampully, Jay, 2017. "A triadic framework for collaborative consumption (CC): Motives, activities and resources & capabilities of actors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 219-227.
    19. Petruzzellis, Luca & Fronzetti Colladon, Andrea & Visentin, Marco & Chebat, Jean-Charles, 2021. "Tell me a story about yourself: The words of shopping experience and self-satisfaction," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    20. Aradhna Krishna & May O. Lwin & Maureen Morrin, 2010. "Product Scent and Memory," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 37(1), pages 57-67, June.
    21. Chebat, Jean-Charles & Michon, Richard, 2003. "Impact of ambient odors on mall shoppers' emotions, cognition, and spending: A test of competitive causal theories," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 56(7), pages 529-539, July.
    22. Françoise Simon & Claire Roederer, 2019. "When social intrusiveness depletes customer value: A balanced perspective on the agency of simultaneous sharers in a commercial sharing experience," Post-Print hal-02319727, HAL.
    23. Saif Benjaafar & Guangwen Kong & Xiang Li & Costas Courcoubetis, 2019. "Peer-to-Peer Product Sharing: Implications for Ownership, Usage, and Social Welfare in the Sharing Economy," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 65(2), pages 477-493, February.
    24. Michon, Richard & Chebat, Jean-Charles & Turley, L. W., 2005. "Mall atmospherics: the interaction effects of the mall environment on shopping behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 58(5), pages 576-583, May.
    25. Julie Y. Huang & Joshua M. Ackerman & George E. Newman, 2017. "Catching (Up with) Magical Contagion: A Review of Contagion Effects in Consumer Contexts," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 2(4), pages 430-443.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. José Verissimo & Rui Alves Pereira, 2013. "The Effect Of Ambient Scent On Moviegoers’ Behavior," Portuguese Journal of Management Studies, ISEG, Universidade de Lisboa, vol. 0(2), pages 67-80.
    2. Ramona Luca & Delane Botelho, 2021. "The unconscious perception of smells as a driver of consumer responses: a framework integrating the emotion-cognition approach to scent marketing," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 11(1), pages 145-161, June.
    3. Herrmann, Andreas & Zidansek, Manja & Sprott, David E. & Spangenberg, Eric R., 2013. "The Power of Simplicity: Processing Fluency and the Effects of Olfactory Cues on Retail Sales," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 89(1), pages 30-43.
    4. Małecka, Agnieszka & Mitręga, Maciej & Mróz-Gorgoń, Barbara & Pfajfar, Gregor, 2022. "Adoption of collaborative consumption as sustainable social innovation: Sociability and novelty seeking perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 163-179.
    5. Errajaa, Karim & Legohérel, Patrick & Daucé, Bruno, 2018. "Immersion and emotional reactions to the ambiance of a multiservice space: The role of perceived congruence between odor and brand image," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 100-108.
    6. Kapferer, Jean-Noël & Valette-Florence, Pierre, 2019. "How self-success drives luxury demand: An integrated model of luxury growth and country comparisons," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 273-287.
    7. Jacob, Isaac & Khanna, Monica & Rai, Krupa A., 2020. "Attribution analysis of luxury brands: An investigation into consumer-brand congruence through conspicuous consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 597-607.
    8. Lindblom, Arto & Lindblom, Taru & Wechtler, Heidi, 2018. "Collaborative consumption as C2C trading: Analyzing the effects of materialism and price consciousness," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 244-252.
    9. Leenders, Mark A.A.M. & Smidts, Ale & Haji, Anouar El, 2019. "Ambient scent as a mood inducer in supermarkets: The role of scent intensity and time-pressure of shoppers," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 270-280.
    10. Klein, Jan F. & Merfeld, Katrin & Wilhelms, Mark-Philipp & Falk, Tomas & Henkel, Sven, 2022. "Buying to share: How prosumption promotes purchases in peer-to-peer asset sharing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 171-183.
    11. Sirkeci Kübra & Arıkan Esra, 2021. "The Infinite Wardrobe: Female Consumers’ Value Perceptions Regarding Collaborative Consumption of Apparel," South East European Journal of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 16(2), pages 150-170, December.
    12. Asad Mohsin & Jorge Lengler, 2021. "Airbnb Hospitality: Exploring Users and Non-Users’ Perceptions and Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-20, September.
    13. Errajaa, Karim & Hombourger-Barès, Sabrina & Audrain-Pontevia, Anne-Françoise, 2022. "Effects of the in-store crowd and employee perceptions on intentions to revisit and word-of-mouth via transactional satisfaction: A SOR approach," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    14. Diogo Conque Seco Ferreira & Jorge Mendes Oliveira-Castro, 2010. "Effects of background music on consumer behaviour: behavioural account of the consumer setting," The Service Industries Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(15), pages 2571-2585, September.
    15. Gupta, Manjul & Esmaeilzadeh, Pouyan & Uz, Irem & Tennant, Vanesa M., 2019. "The effects of national cultural values on individuals' intention to participate in peer-to-peer sharing economy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 20-29.
    16. Michalak Szymon & Ankiel Magdalena & Olejniczak Tomasz & Stachowiak-Krzyżan Magda & Bartkowiak Paweł, 2022. "Motives for the Usage of Collaborative Fashion Consumption Online Platforms," Marketing of Scientific and Research Organizations, Sciendo, vol. 44(2), pages 41-66, June.
    17. Francisco I. Vega-Gómez & Francisco J. Miranda-Gonzalez & Jesús Pérez Mayo & Óscar Rodrigo González-López & Laura Pascual-Nebreda, 2020. "The Scent of Art. Perception, Evaluation, and Behaviour in a Museum in Response to Olfactory Marketing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    18. OLAHUT Meda Roxana & PLAIAS Ioan, 2013. "The Effects Of Ambient Scent On Consumer Behavior: A Review Of The Literature," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 1797-1806, July.
    19. Lunardo, Renaud & Mouangue, Emilie, 2019. "Getting over discomfort in luxury brand stores: How pop-up stores affect perceptions of luxury, embarrassment, and store evaluations," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 77-85.
    20. Abbes, Intissar & Hallem, Yousra & Taga, Nadia, 2020. "Second-hand shopping and brand loyalty: The role of online collaborative redistribution platforms," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:joreco:v:68:y:2022:i:c:s0969698922001448. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-retailing-and-consumer-services .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.