A holistic market conceptualization

Cristina Mele, Jaqueline Pels, Kaj Storbacka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

118 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mainstream marketing’s view on markets builds on neoclassical economics. By integrating mainstream marketing thinking with the emergent marketing literature that acknowledges a set of shortcomings related to the neoclassical-based market conceptualization, this paper aims to provide a market conceptualization that captures complexity. Grounded on the etymology of the word market, we review literature and identify two market dimensions: market-as-noun and market-as-verb; and four distinct themes: market entities (referring to which actors are involved), market representation (regarding how markets are signified), market performing (referring to what actions are carried out), and market sense-making (concerning how markets emerge and evolve). Each theme has several elements. The proposed market conceptualization allows market complexity to be addressed by integrating conventional and new market forms. It also offers new avenues for research and invites managers to emancipate themselves from product-based market thinking, to create subjective market definitions and to think in terms of non-predictive strategies.
Original languageEnglish
Peer-reviewed scientific journalJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science
Volume43
Pages (from-to)100-114
Number of pages15
ISSN0092-0703
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.01.2015
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article - refereed

Keywords

  • 512 Business and Management
  • market
  • market conceptualization
  • market complexity
  • market shaping
  • market driving

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