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Fashionable & Sustainable? A case study exploring the markets contribution to the ethical consumption gap

Tyledal, Emma LU and Blennow, Emelie LU (2022) BUSN39 20221
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study is to examine how the market contributes in creating the ethical consumption gap to serve the underlying structures in which predicates and benefits from the gap. Consequently, the research seeks to add to current theoretical understanding in the field. The study draws on an ontological relativism position, accompanied by a social constructionist view. Moreover, the research is conducted through qualitative research design with an abductive approach. It incorporates a document study with a case study perspective, enclosing H&M, to collect empirical data. Finally, to get culturally substantial insights on discursive conceptual frameworks utilized by the market, we turned to discourse analysis. To answer the... (More)
The primary purpose of this study is to examine how the market contributes in creating the ethical consumption gap to serve the underlying structures in which predicates and benefits from the gap. Consequently, the research seeks to add to current theoretical understanding in the field. The study draws on an ontological relativism position, accompanied by a social constructionist view. Moreover, the research is conducted through qualitative research design with an abductive approach. It incorporates a document study with a case study perspective, enclosing H&M, to collect empirical data. Finally, to get culturally substantial insights on discursive conceptual frameworks utilized by the market, we turned to discourse analysis. To answer the research question, the study bases its fundamental standpoint on the grand theory of governmentality, which enclose the two primary concepts employed in this thesis, namely, consumer sovereignty and consumer responsibilization.The findings reveal that H&M adopts notions of consumer sovereignty and consumer responsibilization. They also promote the market as the ultimate venue for consumers to get an outlet for their overall ethical concerns while at the same time scattering a steady stream of confusion by conveying self-contradictory messages, keeping the customers in a position of dependence thus, aiding the ethical consumption gap.The study adds to the current body of literature by concretely conceptualizing how organizations may contribute in the creation and the upkeep of the ethical consumption gap. Furthermore, we theorize the ways in which the market contributes to the gap by introducing the concept of fetishistic dubiety, building upon the presence of confusion among the marketing activities analyzed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Tyledal, Emma LU and Blennow, Emelie LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN39 20221
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Ethical consumerism, ethical consumption gap, consumer sovereignty, consumer responsibilization, fashion, market
language
English
id
9089306
date added to LUP
2022-06-28 09:57:20
date last changed
2022-06-28 09:57:20
@misc{9089306,
  abstract     = {{The primary purpose of this study is to examine how the market contributes in creating the ethical consumption gap to serve the underlying structures in which predicates and benefits from the gap. Consequently, the research seeks to add to current theoretical understanding in the field. The study draws on an ontological relativism position, accompanied by a social constructionist view. Moreover, the research is conducted through qualitative research design with an abductive approach. It incorporates a document study with a case study perspective, enclosing H&M, to collect empirical data. Finally, to get culturally substantial insights on discursive conceptual frameworks utilized by the market, we turned to discourse analysis. To answer the research question, the study bases its fundamental standpoint on the grand theory of governmentality, which enclose the two primary concepts employed in this thesis, namely, consumer sovereignty and consumer responsibilization.The findings reveal that H&M adopts notions of consumer sovereignty and consumer responsibilization. They also promote the market as the ultimate venue for consumers to get an outlet for their overall ethical concerns while at the same time scattering a steady stream of confusion by conveying self-contradictory messages, keeping the customers in a position of dependence thus, aiding the ethical consumption gap.The study adds to the current body of literature by concretely conceptualizing how organizations may contribute in the creation and the upkeep of the ethical consumption gap. Furthermore, we theorize the ways in which the market contributes to the gap by introducing the concept of fetishistic dubiety, building upon the presence of confusion among the marketing activities analyzed.}},
  author       = {{Tyledal, Emma and Blennow, Emelie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Fashionable & Sustainable? A case study exploring the markets contribution to the ethical consumption gap}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}