Towards a theory of integrated empowerment: a service ecosystems agenda for future

Abstract

This paper broadens the current understanding of the empowerment phenomenon within the service ecosystems framework. We reviewed and critically analysed extant literature on empowerment theory and noted that the micro-level conceptualisation of empowerment heavily relies on forms of power grab/power share/power transfer to achieve outcomes of power symmetry, also called the state of empowerment. We go beyond current understanding of empowerment as a micro-level (enabling) phenomenon, proposing and arguing for a macro-level conceptualisation, coined integrated empowerment, in which each entity/participant within a given ecosystem is imparted with the required autonomy (power) to participate in a way that enhances overall health of the service ecosystem. Integrated empowerment creates/constructs episodes of service provisioning, and service provisioning is only possible because of integrated empowerment. This paper prompts future research exploring the concept of integrated empowerment and contributes to current understanding of the empowerment phenomenon and its integral role in service provisioning.

Factors affecting farmer empowerment in rice marketing

“…Empowerment is a psychological understanding of the influence of individual control over social conditions, political power and statutory rights. People who have achieved collective goals are empowered through their own efforts and the accumulation of knowledge, skills and other resources in order to achieve their goals without depending on help and external relationships (Ras and Vermeulen, 2012;Mandlik and Kadirov, 2020).…”

“…As a goal, empowerment refers to the conditions or results to be achieved by social change. In this case, poor people who are successfully empowered will have power or knowledge and ability to meet their life needs, both physical and social (Ras and Vermeulen, 2012;Raheel and Ejaz, 2022;Mandlik and Kadirov, 2020).…”

“…According to Suharto (2005) the implementation of the process and achievement of the above empowerment goals are achieved through the application of an empowerment approach which comprises of: Enabling, Strengthening, Protecting, Supporting and Maintaining (Torri, 2012;Ras and Vermeulen, 2012;Mandlik and Kadirov, 2020;Jahri et al, 2016;Irvine and Brna, 2003). Brief descriptions of ESPSM are as the followings;…”

Research on Influencing Mechanism of Fashion Brand Image Value Creation Based on Consumer Value Co-Creation and Experiential Value Perception Theory

“…Based on the viewpoints of the above scholars, it can be known that the essence of co-creation is experience value, and the premise of producing experience value is customer participation or interaction. Based on this, Mandlik and Kadirov [29] proposed a mechanism model of consumer value co-creation, including anamorphic, process, and result. Antecedent variables are composed of factors that affect customer participation value co-creation.…”