Work

Influence of psychological ownership and media ecosystem for predicting heterogenous shared autonomous vehicle adoption: an extended UTAUT2 model

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The transformative potential of Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) for urban mobility is challenged by user scepticism and disparate acceptance across demographics. Although the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) has been widely applied, significant gaps persist including: the underexplored influence of external factors, specifically mass media, social media, and psychological ownership and a limited understanding of how sociodemographic and travel/driving behaviour (STDB) variables affect the heterogeneity by moderating core acceptance pathways. To address these gaps, this study develops an extended UTAUT2 model incorporating these constructs alongside personal innovativeness, attitude toward sharing, and environmental concern. Based on a survey of 723 respondents in Tehran, Iran, the relationships between the proposed theoretical constructs and SAV acceptance are examined using structural equation modelling, complemented by multi-group analysis (MGA). Results confirm the significant direct effects of both core UTAUT2 factors and the extended integrated variables, with the exception of environmental concern, on behavioural intention. Crucially, the MGA reveals that these relationships are distinctly moderated by STDB characteristics such as gender, age, education, car ownership, prior driving and accident experience, and car-sharing usage experience. These findings provide a more holistic and segmented understanding of SAV acceptance, offering refined theoretical insights and practical implications for policymakers and service providers to tailor strategies that address diverse user concerns and accelerate the integration of SAVs into sustainable urban transport systems.

Source: Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2026.103732

Authors: Mahsa Aboutorabi Kashani, Mohammadhossein Abbasi, Dilum Dissanayake, Yajie Zou, Amir Reza Mamdoohi

Institutions: Tongji University, Tarbiat Modares University, University of Birmingham, Polytechnique Montréal

Language: English

Topic: Transportation and Mobility Innovations

Subfield: Automotive Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,780