The recently introduced construct of consumer sharing is represented as a nonreciprocal, prosocial distribution of resources given without expectation of reciprocity (Belk, 2010, 'Sharing', Journal of Consumer Research 36: 715-34). The approach adopted rests on shaky ontological and epistemological grounds and reproduces an array of problematic modernist dichotomies (e.g., agency/structure, nurturing family/instrumental public, gift/market, and altruism/self-interest) that significantly constrain the analytical enterprise. This work redresses some of the conceptual problems in the current formulation. The critique highlights a focus on resource distribution based on a more holistic, socially grounded perspective on circulation. We offer the alternative concept of mutuality or generalized exchange and the metaphor of inclusion rather than exchange as central to this perspective. We argue this may provide a more sound basis for understanding alternative modes of circulation.
Le concept, récemment introduit, de partage entre les consommateurs est présenté comme une distribution non réciproque et prosociale de ressources données sans échange récent ni attente de réciprocité. La volonté d’élaborer des critères permettant de différencier le partage de l’échange marchand et du don dans le contexte de la culture des consommateurs est sans nul doute séduisante. Elle répond à une crainte envahissante, évidente chez les chercheurs, et aux discours de non-spécialistes selon qui la logique du marché, omniprésente dans les relations sociales, les colonise et peut ainsi avoir une influence même sur la plus innocente des rencontres sociales. Cependant, l’approche adoptée jusqu’ici repose sur de fragiles fondements et reproduit un ensemble de dichotomies problématiques qui gênent considérablement la théorisation.
This study reveals the therapeutic origins of the “good mother” ideal in a rarely studied context, that of transracial adoptive mothering. Using a comparative discursive analysis supplemented by illustrative case analysis, we show that what it means to be a “good mother” in transracial adoptive mothering discourse differs significantly from the ideal established in mainstream mothering discourse. The key differences uncovered relate to publicly contested challenges to legitimacy, the experience of stigma for families adopting children of difference races, and a relative dearth of market‐based solutions to these challenges. We propose therapeutic ideology as a powerful macro‐level theoretical construct capable of explaining the self‐reinforcing cycle of mothers' anxiety, expert advice, and market‐mediated solutions.
Building on recent work seeking to redress the shortcomings of contemporary sustainability practices, two versions of sustainability are explored. The first, built on the logic of the market with its emphasis on growth, is found to use sustainability as a means to an end; an end which is not sustainable: growth. The second version, built on the logic of equilibrium developed by Georges Bataille (1967Bataille ( /2007, treats sustainability as the end itself and is thus sustainable by definition. The logics underlying and the mechanics of these forms of sustainability are explored. The ability of the Bataille logic to incorporate existing findings and offer a parsimonious goal on which to build strategies is discussed in light of specific connections to recent research. An empirical case is provided to illuminate the existence of the sustainability logic in contemporary business practice. Practical and theoretical implications are provided. Keywords: sustainability, marketing, strategy, structure Resumo: Com base em trabalhos recentes que buscam corrigir as deficiências das práticas de sustentabilidade contemporâneas, são exploradas duas versões de sustentabilidade. O primeiro, construído sobre a lógica do mercado com sua ênfase no crescimento, utiliza a sustentabilidade como um meio para um fim; um fim que não é sustentável: o crescimento. A segunda versão, construída sobre a lógica de equilíbrio desenvolvida por Georges Bataille (1967Bataille ( /2007, trata a sustentabilidade como o próprio fim e, portanto, é sustentável por definição. As lógicas subjacentes e a mecânica destas formas de sustentabilidade são exploradas. A capacidade da lógica Bataille de incorporar os achados existentes e oferecer um objetivo parcimonioso sobre o qual construir estratégias é discutida à luz de conexões específicas para pesquisa recente. Um caso empírico é fornecido para iluminar a existência da lógica de sustentabilidade na prática comercial contemporânea. São fornecidas implicações práticas e teóricas.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.