A Configurational-Game Theoretic Analysis of Consumer Behavior and Platform Strategy in Paid Study Rooms: Evidence from a Chinese Platform

A Configurational-Game Theoretic Analysis of Consumer Behavior and Platform Strategy in Paid Study Rooms: Evidence from a Chinese Platform | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article A Configurational-Game Theoretic Analysis of Consumer Behavior and Platform Strategy in Paid Study Rooms: Evidence from a Chinese Platform Lin Peng, Jinpeng Wu, Yuting Chen This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8592354/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The rapid growth of Paid Study Rooms (PSRs) in China’s digital platform economy highlights a unique intersection of shared space consumption, self-improvement demand, and service-based business models. However, operators face persistent challenges such as homogeneous competition and sustainable profitability, while existing research often relies on linear models that overlook the complex, interdependent nature of consumer decision-making and its linkage to macro-level platform strategy. To address these gaps, this study develops a novel mixed-methods framework by integrating fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) with an extended Hotelling spatial competition model. First, based on a synthesis of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Customer Perceived Value (CPV) theory, we employ fsQCA to identify seven equifinal configurations of expected utility, perceived profit, perceived cost, perceived risk, facilitating conditions, and consumer intention leading to consumer behavior in PSRs. These findings reveal the nonlinear, conjunctural causality shaping user choices. Second, we translate these behavioral insights into a game-theoretic model to derive the platform’s optimal pricing and differentiation strategies. The analysis demonstrates that equilibrium pricing depends not only on cost and quality but also critically on the alignment between strategic parameters and the specific consumer profiles identified in the fsQCA. Theoretically, this research bridges micro-level behavioral mechanisms with macro-level market outcomes, showcasing the complementary value of configurational analysis and formal modeling in explaining complex platform-based markets. Practically, it offers PSR operators a diagnostic toolkit for strategic positioning and resource allocation to achieve sustainable differentiation. Physical sciences/Engineering Physical sciences/Mathematics and computing Paid Study Room (PSR) Consumer Behavior Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) Hotelling Model Platform Strategy Mixed-Methods Configuration Theory Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SupplementaryAppendixAQuestionnaire.docx SupplementaryAppendixBPSRsGameModelProof.docx SupplementaryDataProcesseddata.xlsx SupplementaryDataRawdataanonymized.csv Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 19 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 19 Mar, 2026 Reviews received at journal 22 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Feb, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 09 Feb, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 09 Feb, 2026 Editor invited by journal 03 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 27 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 27 Jan, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8592354","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":588919511,"identity":"521b7968-fad3-442b-b161-32facb7c0669","order_by":0,"name":"Lin Peng","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lin","middleName":"","lastName":"Peng","suffix":""},{"id":588919512,"identity":"630fbfac-aefd-4c15-badf-93f0c0176487","order_by":1,"name":"Jinpeng 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