Thompson's Rubbish Theory: Exploring the Practices of Value Creation
This paper introduces Thompson’s Rubbish Theory (1979) to interpretive consumer research. The paper suggests the Theory is useful in foregrounding the material dimensions of markets. It also highlights the importance of thinking in terms of movement, flow and circulation in markets. Finally the theory suggests that value emerges through our ways of seeing and placing objects. A key critique of the theory is its neglect of the practices of value creation. Thus the paper draws from existing studies in consumer research in exploring three such sets of practices: finding objects, displaying objects, and transforming and re-using objects.
Citation:
Liz Parsons (2007) ,"Thompson's Rubbish Theory: Exploring the Practices of Value Creation", in E - European Advances in Consumer Research Volume 8, eds. Stefania Borghini, Mary Ann McGrath, and Cele Otnes, Duluth, MN : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 390-393.
Authors
Liz Parsons, Keele University, UK
Volume
E - European Advances in Consumer Research Volume 8 | 2007
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