Understanding marketing’s philosophy debates

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Consumer Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blue Book ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Green Book

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to chronicle the publication events in the 1980s and 1990s that framed the development of the series of controversies in marketing that are known as the “philosophy debates”. Design/methodology/approach – The article uses a participant’s retrospective approach. Findings – The article finds that seven publication events are key to understanding marketing’s philosophy debates. The seven are the publication of the “little green book” by Grid, Inc. in 1976; the philosophy of science panel discussion held at the Winter American Marketing Association Educators’ Conference in 1982; the special issue of the Journal of Marketing on marketing theory in 1983; three articles on the “critical relativist perspective” by the Journal of Consumer Research in 1986 and 1988; the “blue book” by South-Western in 1991; a trilogy of articles on truth, positivism and objectivity in the Journal of Marketing and the Journal of Consumer Research in 1990-1993; and an article on “rethinking marketing” in the European Journal of Marketing in 1994. Originality/value – Chronicling the key publication events enables readers to understand what the debates were about and provides readers a starting point for further investigating the issues in the debates.

scholarly journals Paradigm debates and marketing theory, thought and practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Tadajewski
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Research ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Historical Survey ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Politics Of Knowledge ◽  
History Of ◽  
Institutional System

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a history of a number of intellectual debates in marketing theory and consumer research. It outlines the key arguments involved, highlights the politics and acrimoniousness that often accompanied the competition for academic prestige or practitioner remuneration. It weaves the contents of the special issue into its narrative. Design/methodology/approach – This article engages in a broad historical survey of the history of marketing thought, as it pertains to intellectual debate and disputation. Findings – While scholars often articulate objectivity as an intellectual ideal, many of the debates that are explored reveal a degree of intellectual intolerance and this is refracted through the institutional system that structures marketing discourse. Originality/value – This account provides an introduction to the intellectual debates of the last century, highlighting the ebb and flow of marketing thought. It calls attention to debates that are largely under explored and highlights the politics of knowledge production in marketing and consumer research.

scholarly journals Modern pioneers in marketing: autobiographical sketches by leading scholars

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Tadajewski ◽  
D.G. Brian Jones
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Historical Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Lives ◽  
Introductory Article ◽  
History Of ◽  
Biographical Tradition

Purpose This paper aims to introduce a special issue of the Journal of Historical Research in Marketing which includes autobiographical sketches by leading scholars in the history of marketing and consumer research. Design/methodology/approach A brief review of the (auto)biographical tradition in marketing scholarship leads to a commentary on the four accounts in this issue. Findings Highlights of the four portraits are presented and insights into their authors’ lives and careers are offered. Originality/value The authors hope this introductory article whets readers’ appetites to learn more about the four contributors whose careers and personal lives are explicated for their consumption.

scholarly journals Consumption experience: past, present and future

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 402-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Chaney ◽  
Renaud Lunardo ◽  
Rémi Mencarelli
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Consumer Experience ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Seminal Paper ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comprehensive View ◽  
Consumption Experience

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose both a retrospective and a prospective look at one of the most powerful concepts in marketing research: consumption experience. Design/methodology/approach A historical review of the development of the concept of consumption experience is conducted from its introduction 35 years ago by Holbrook and Hirschman’s (1982) seminal paper to the most recent advances, including the articles selected for this special issue. Findings First, the authors show that the introduction of the concept of consumer experience was a major (r)evolution on the theoretical, methodological and managerial levels. Second, the authors examine the theoretical risks associated with a biased conceptualization of the consumption experience. Third, the authors highlight future avenues for research on the consumption experience from both macro- (“zoom-out”) and micro-analytic (“zoom-in”) perspectives. Originality/value This paper offers a comprehensive view on one of the most disruptive concepts in marketing theory.

scholarly journals Marketing and the Cold War: an overview

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Tadajewski ◽  
Inger L. Stole
Keyword(s):  
Cold War ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Marketing Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Narrative Thread ◽  
The Cold War

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the contents of the special issue, situating the material in appropriate historical context. Design/methodology/approach – The account is based on a close reading of each manuscript. Links to the wider academic literature are created, and a narrative thread is provided to introduce readers to the imbrication of marketing with the Cold War geopolitical climate. Originality/value – The debates surrounding the Cold War, marketing theory and marketing practice have been reviewed.

The “Halalification” of tourism

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiza Khan ◽  
Michelle Callanan
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Market Segment ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the confusing use of terminology associated with tourism undertaken by Muslims and to identify key concerns associated with this type of tourism. Design/methodology/approach This is an exploratory study and adopts a critical review of literature following the evolutionary concept analysis method. Content analysis of popular UK media, UK-based tour operators’ websites and tourism strategies of destinations popular with Muslim tourists were conducted to examine the use of terminology. Findings There is no clear difference between the various terms (halal, Muslim friendly, Islamic, etc.) used. Overall, academia uses the term Islamic tourism, while the industry and media use various terms. Among destinations, however, there is no clear and consistent use of terminology. A key concern of Islamic tourism is the role of certification in assuring travellers and the lack of standardisation of halal certification. Research limitations/implications The paper is based on literature review and secondary data analysis. It lacks primary research. Practical implications This study highlights the need for consistent use of terminology across industry. Another implication is the issue surrounding halal certification of food and the importance of trust in the seller/service provide. Another trend that industry providers need to consider is the growth of the Muslim millennial traveller and the needs of this market segment. Originality/value The paper highlights the importance of studying the Muslim tourist market and provides a starting point for further research. It highlights several issues such as the need to develop a typology of Muslim tourists. Of particular interest is the concern whether halal values in danger of being commodified in the absence of a universal agreed criterion for halal certification.

scholarly journals The social marketing theory-based (SMT) approach for designing interventions

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamini Manikam ◽  
Rebekah Russell-Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Social Marketing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Step Process ◽  
The Social ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Marketing Intervention ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Social Marketing Theory

Purpose – Despite the importance of theory as a driving framework, many social marketers either fail to explicitly use theory as the basis of designing social marketing interventions or default to familiar theories which may not accurately reflect the nature of the behavioural issue. The purpose of this paper is therefore to propose and demonstrate the social marketing theory (SMT)-based approach for designing social marketing interventions, campaigns or tools. Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper proposes a four-step process and illustrates this process by applying the SMT-based approach to the digital component of a social marketing intervention for preventing domestic violence. Findings – For effective social marketing interventions, the underpinning theory must reflect consumer insights and key behavioural drivers and be used explicitly in the design process. Practical implications – Social marketing practitioners do not always understand how to use theory in the design of interventions, campaigns or tools, and scholars do not always understand how to translate theories into practice. This paper outlines a process and illustrates how theory can be selected and applied. Originality/value – This paper proposes a process for theory selection and use in a social marketing context.

Wroe Alderson, IMP and the evolution of theory

IMP Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars-Erik Gadde ◽  
Kajsa Hulthén
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Theoretical Structure ◽  
Specific Objective ◽  
Scientific Fields

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse how theories evolve within scientific fields: why they receive attention and why they eventually become less attractive. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review and focusses on the theoretical structure developed by Wroe Alderson. His contributions were highly appreciated and generally considered as “the” marketing theory. However, in few years his broad perspective was more or less neglected within the field where it was developed. At the same time, Alderson’s basic thinking was adopted by the evolving IMP approach. The specific objective of the study is to analyse why researchers in marketing abandoned Alderson, while IMP adopted many of his ideas. Findings The paper illustrates significant aspects of the evolution of theories. First, the paper shows how well-established conceptualisations, like Alderson’s total systems approach, may lose impact when the focus of research shifts. Alderson’s holistic framing was found too broad and all-encompassing to be useful when research attention was directed to specific aspects of marketing management and the socio-behavioural approach to distribution. Second, the paper shows in what respect IMP found support in concepts and models presented by Alderson in the challenging of fragmented mainstream framings of the business landscape. Originality/value This paper relates the rise and fall of Alderson’s concepts and frameworks to the evolution of theories of other schools-of-thought. Furthermore, the study shows how Alderson’s ideas were adapted to other research fields than where it was originally developed.

Who is a “Senior”? Looking for a definition in the healthcare system

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Consolandi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Core ◽  
Starting Point

Purpose Seniors are nowadays at the core of important reflections to understand both how to ensure them a proper quality of life and better recognize their social role, providing them services and proper health care to value them as persons and resources. This paper aims to find a through definition about who is a senior, in the author’s opinion the starting point to help them flourishing. Design/methodology/approach As an example of definitions, an online dictionary and two geriatric text-books are quoted, highlighting qualities and rights referred to seniors especially in the delicate context of the health-care system. Findings The lack of a commonly shared perspective on this delicate kind of patient entails the difficulty to reach a coherent and satisfying definition about who a senior is. Originality/value The lack of a commonly shared definition leads to inevitable misunderstandings and could explain the arduousness of considering seniors in all their aspects. Further investigations are suggested.

Guest editorial: Solving problems for service consumers experiencing vulnerabilities: a marketplace challenge

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 685-691
Author(s):  
Raechel Johns ◽  
Janet Davey
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Guest Editorial ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Service Systems ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose While there is burgeoning service literature identifying consumer vulnerabilities and questioning the assumption that all consumers have the resources to co-create, limited research addresses solutions for consumers experiencing vulnerabilities. Service systems can provide support for consumers but can also create inequities and experienced vulnerabilities. This paper aims to identify current and further research needed to explore this issue and addresses marketplace problems for consumers experiencing vulnerabilities. Design/methodology/approach This viewpoint discusses key issues relating to solving marketplace problems for consumers experiencing vulnerabilities. A call for papers focused on solving marketplace problems for consumers experiencing vulnerabilities resulted in a large number of submissions. Nine papers are included in this special issue, and each one is discussed in this editorial according to five emergent themes. Findings Vulnerabilities can be temporary, or permanent, and anyone can suddenly experience vulnerabilities. Inequities and vulnerabilities can be due to individual characteristics, environmental forces, or due to the structure of the marketplace itself. Solutions include taking a strengths-based approach to addressing inequities and using a multiple-actor network to provide support. Practical implications The recommendations addressed in this paper enable more positive approaches to solving marketplace problems for consumers experiencing vulnerabilities. Social implications Taking a solutions-focused lens to research relating to vulnerabilities will contribute toward addressing inequities within the marketplace. Originality/value Increasingly, service literature is identifying inequities; however, very limited research addresses solutions for solving marketplace problems for consumers experiencing vulnerabilities. This paper suggests taking an approach focusing on strengths, rather than weaknesses, to determine strategies, and using the support of other actors (Transformative Service Mediators) where required.

scholarly journals Developing a conceptual model of influences around integrated reporting, new insights and directions for future research

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charl de Villiers ◽  
Pei-Chi Kelly Hsiao ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Research Questions

Purpose This paper aims to develop a conceptual model for examining the development of integrated reporting, relate the articles in this Meditari Accountancy Research special issue on integrated reporting to the model and identify areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a narrative/discursive style to summarise key findings from the articles in the special issue and develop a normative research agenda. Findings The findings of the prior literature, as well as the articles in this special issue, support the conceptual model developed in this paper. This new conceptual model can be used in multiple ways. Originality/value The special issue draws on some of the latest developments in integrated reporting from multiple jurisdictions. Different theoretical frameworks and methodologies, coupled with primary evidence on integrated reporting, construct a pluralistic assessment of integrated reporting, which can be used as a basis for future research. The new conceptual model developed in this paper can be used as an organising framework; a way of understanding and thinking about the various influences; a way of identifying additional factors to control for in a study; and/or a way of identifying new, interesting and underexplored research questions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document