Journal article
Consumers experiencing vulnerability: a state of play in the literature
Journal of Services Marketing, Vol.36(2), pp.110-128
2022
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review of research on consumers experiencing vulnerability to describe the current situation of the consumers experiencing vulnerability literature and develop an up-to-date synthesised definition of consumers experiencing vulnerability.
Design/methodology/approach – This systematic review, guided by the PRISMA framework, takes a multidisciplinary approach to identify 310 articles published between 2010 and 2019 examining consumers experiencing vulnerability. Descriptive analysis of the data is undertaken in combination with a thematic and text mining approach using Leximancer software.
Findings – A definition of consumers experiencing vulnerability is developed-" unique and subjective experiences where characteristics such as states, conditions and/or external factors lead to a consumer experiencing a sense of powerlessness in consumption settings ". The findings reveal consumers experiencing vulnerability have often been classified using a uni-dimensional approach (opposed to a multi-dimensional), focussing on one factor of vulnerability, the most prevalent of these being economic and age factors. A lack of research has examined consumers experiencing vulnerability based upon geographical remoteness, gender and sexual exploitation.
Originality/value – This paper is one of the first to examine consumers experiencing vulnerability using a systematic approach and text mining analysis to synthesise a large set of articles, which subsequently reduces the potential for researchers' interpretative bias. Further, it is the first to generate a data-driven definition of consumers experiencing vulnerability. It provides targeted recommendations to allow further scholarly, policy and practical contributions to this area.
Details
- Title
- Consumers experiencing vulnerability: a state of play in the literature
- Authors
- Aimee Riedel (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative IndustriesDana Messenger (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, QueenslandDavid Fleischman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative IndustriesRory Mulcahy (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
- Publication details
- Journal of Services Marketing, Vol.36(2), pp.110-128
- Publisher
- Emerald Publishing Limited
- DOI
- 10.1108/JSM-12-2020-0496
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Business and Creative Industries
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99571604802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
51 Record Views
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- Business
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Source: InCites