Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2018

Publication Title

Journal of Macromarketing

ISSN/ISBN

0276-1467

Volume

38

Issue

1

First Page

73

Last Page

90

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/0276146717723963

Publisher

Sage Journals

Keywords

Consumer vulnerability, gender, macromarketing, gender discrimination, marketing and society, identity, retailing

Abstract

Baker, Gentry, and Rittenburg’s (2005) model of consumer vulnerability outlines the personal, social, and structural characteristics that frame consumers’ experiences of vulnerability in the marketplace. Later applications and enhancements have expanded consumer vulnerability theory. While the theory has been applied in numerous settings, to date it has not been used to examine the ways that gender identity may intersect with market factors to produce vulnerability. Application in this setting also allows for the integration of various model enhancements, and the examination of vulnerability using a more complete formulation of the theory. Based on in-depth qualitative interviews and collages, along with examples from current marketing practice, our research shows consumer vulnerability to be a useful lens for understanding gender variant consumers’ experiences and the ways in which marketing systems can be engaged to reshape those experiences.

Rights

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final, definitive version of this document can be found online at Journal of Macromarketing published by Sage Publications, Inc. Copyright restrictions apply. DOI: 10.1177/0276146717723963

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