Viable Systems Approach and Consumer Culture Theory: A Conceptual Framework

Journal of Organizational Transformation & Social Change, Vol. 10 No. 3, November, 2013, 262–285

24 Pages Posted: 5 Nov 2013

See all articles by Gandolfo Dominici

Gandolfo Dominici

University of Palermo - d/SEAS

Gianpaolo Basile

CSEF - University of Naples Federico II

Federica Palumbo

University of Rome "La Sapienza"

Date Written: November 1, 2013

Abstract

The aim of this study is to depict the relational dynamics between the firm/brand and the individual/consumer or communities of consumers. To this aim we propose a conceptual framework, integrating the viable systems approach (VSA) with consumer culture theory (CCT), which considers the individual as an active co-maker of the product/brand (‘prosumer’). The VSA view of the firm overcomes the limitations of CCT research, which is mainly focused on the individual, giving little consideration to the other actors in the context.

Among the different approaches under the umbrella of viable systems we chose the VSA because of its emphasis on the analysis of the systemic external relations with the agents in the context, helping to underscore the marketing and social perspectives of CCT. Using a viable systemic perspective, the firm/brand and the individual/consumer can be conceived as viable systems embedded in a social-business context. Therefore, the consumption system can be considered as the momentum for the creation and maintenance of symbolic and cultural relationships between the firm/brand and the individual/consumer or communities of consumers (i.e. brand communities or subculture of consumption). These relationships are finalized to establish a common and consonant language in order to achieve a desired consonance level capable of enabling both the consumer and the firm/brand to co-evolve, maintain, and enhance their systemic viability.

Keywords: viable systems approach (VSA), consumer culture theory (CCT), brand community, sub-culture of consumption, consonance-resonance

JEL Classification: M1

Suggested Citation

Dominici, Gandolfo and Basile, Gianpaolo and Palumbo, Federica, Viable Systems Approach and Consumer Culture Theory: A Conceptual Framework (November 1, 2013). Journal of Organizational Transformation & Social Change, Vol. 10 No. 3, November, 2013, 262–285, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2349325

Gandolfo Dominici (Contact Author)

University of Palermo - d/SEAS ( email )

Viale delle Scienze, edificio 13
Palermo, 90124
Italy

Gianpaolo Basile

CSEF - University of Naples Federico II ( email )

Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132
Fisciano, Salerno 84084
Italy

Federica Palumbo

University of Rome "La Sapienza" ( email )

Piazzale Aldo Moro 5
Roma, Rome 00185
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://www.managementuniroma1.it/

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