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  • Consumer empowerment: a Foucauldian interpretation

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    Author(s)
    Shankar, Avi
    Cherrier, Helene
    Canniford, Robin
    Griffith University Author(s)
    Cherrier, Helene
    Year published
    2009
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    Abstract
    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. ...
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    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
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560610680989
    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
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/34536
    Collection
    • Journal articles

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