Consumer empowerment: a Foucauldian interpretation

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Author(s)
Shankar, Avi
Cherrier, Helene
Canniford, Robin
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2009
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to question the taken for granted assumptions that underpin a liberal or lay view of consumer empowerment implicit to this special edition. In particular, the idea that it benefits consumers to have more choice is questioned. Design/methodology/approach - The key constructs of Michel Foucault - disciplinary power, governmentality and technologies of self - are used to argue that people can never escape from the operation of power. Rather it is shown how power operates to produce consumers. Findings - The liberal view of the empowerment of consumers through choice is questioned. ...
View more >Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to question the taken for granted assumptions that underpin a liberal or lay view of consumer empowerment implicit to this special edition. In particular, the idea that it benefits consumers to have more choice is questioned. Design/methodology/approach - The key constructs of Michel Foucault - disciplinary power, governmentality and technologies of self - are used to argue that people can never escape from the operation of power. Rather it is shown how power operates to produce consumers. Findings - The liberal view of the empowerment of consumers through choice is questioned. Rather we suggest the opposite; that choice is a disciplinary power and that more and more choice can lead to choice paralysis. The contemporary phenomenon known as blogging is described as a Foucauldian technology of self. Managerial implications are discussed. Originality/value - The value of a Foucauldian inspired theory of empowerment is that it represents a more sophisticated understanding of the fluidity of power relationships between producers and consumers than can be captured by a liberal view of power and empowerment.
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View more >Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to question the taken for granted assumptions that underpin a liberal or lay view of consumer empowerment implicit to this special edition. In particular, the idea that it benefits consumers to have more choice is questioned. Design/methodology/approach - The key constructs of Michel Foucault - disciplinary power, governmentality and technologies of self - are used to argue that people can never escape from the operation of power. Rather it is shown how power operates to produce consumers. Findings - The liberal view of the empowerment of consumers through choice is questioned. Rather we suggest the opposite; that choice is a disciplinary power and that more and more choice can lead to choice paralysis. The contemporary phenomenon known as blogging is described as a Foucauldian technology of self. Managerial implications are discussed. Originality/value - The value of a Foucauldian inspired theory of empowerment is that it represents a more sophisticated understanding of the fluidity of power relationships between producers and consumers than can be captured by a liberal view of power and empowerment.
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Journal Title
European Journal of Marketing
Volume
40
Issue
9/10
Copyright Statement
© 2009 Emerald. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Consumer-Oriented Product or Service Development
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services