Page 184 - Proceeding of Atrans Young Researcher's Forum 2019_Neat

“Transportation for A Better Life:
Smart Mobility for Now and Then”

23 August 2019, Bangkok, Thailand

A Proposed Conceptual Framework for Investigating Factors Affecting
Carpooling Decisions
Topic number: 08 Paper Identification number: AYRF2019-028
Puthipong JULAGASIGORN , Ruth BANOMYONG
1
2

1 Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat Business School,
Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: 08-9488-1008
E-mail: julagasigornputh@gmail.com
2 Department of International Business, Logistics and Transport, Thammasat Business School,
Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand
E-mail: ruth@banomyong.com

Abstract
This manuscript aims to conceptualise how carpooling decisions are made. The operationalisation of
the carpooling cycle is critical to the understanding of carpooling decision making. A review derived from
the transport, social psychology and consumer behaviour literature was used to develop the conceptual
framework. The proposed framework was validated by academic experts in the related fields. The proposed
stages of the carpooling cycle are as follows: namely, 1) Interest stage is the stage where travellers show their
interest in carpooling 2) Formation stage is the initial situation when travellers start carpooling 3) Maintain
stage is the stage where travellers carpool based on habits and 4) Discontinuance stage is the stage where
travellers stop carpooling. Triggers that might induce travellers to change between stages are the strength of
social ties, attitudes towards carpooling, intentions, goals, context cues and rewards received from carpooling.
The proposed framework can depict a holistic view of the carpooling decision making process. Different
stages allow the observation of triggers motivating travellers to carpool. Hypotheses for investigating
empirical evidence are stated based on the literature. Future research is needed in order to validate the
proposed framework and hypotheses.

Keywords: Travel Behaviour, Carpooling, Habit, Sharing, Social Ties

1. Introduction carpooling decision-making processes, these remain
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Anthropogenic climate change is the climate under-researched 8,10 . Neoh et al. further indicated
change that produced by human activities. Transport that the effectiveness of factors encouraging
contributes approximately 24% of carbon dioxide carpooling depended on perceptual differences
emissions (EIA, 2017). In this amount, passenger among commuters who are currently carpooling or
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transport globally contributes to 8.7% of all carbon not. Julagasigorn et al. conducted a systematic
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emissions . It is the role of academic and review on the psychological factors encouraging
practitioners to promote a means of transport that carpooling decisions and pointed out conflicting
aims towards the more sustainable transport. results in the literature. In some studies 12-13 ,
Evidence indicates that carpooling, a means of perceived environmental concerns were found to be
transportation where more than one person share a significant but not in others 14-15 . However,
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common route in a car, have impact on carbon Gheorghiu and Delhomme found that these
2-4
emission reduction and traffic congestion . motivations emerged in later trips of carpooling.
Nevertheless, carpooling has not been This can be concluded that travelers/carpoolers at
popular among commuters . The promotion of different stages of carpooling may differ in their
4-6
carpooling among commuters remains challenging motivations to carpool. In order to verify this
3,7
and needs effective carpool intervention programs . statement, the carpooling cycle (i.e. stages of
Intervention programs would be effective if they carpooling behaviour) is needed.
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originate from underpinning psychological theories 8- Smith introduced marketers the concept of
9 . However, previous studies examined instrumental market segmentation. This concept not only helps
factors and focused on policy-oriented research. marketers in identifying and separating customers
Although psychological aspects are salient for into different segments but also helps them in

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