From the Consumption of Necessities to Experience-Seeking Consumption

  • Solveig R. Wikström
  • Ulf Elg
  • Ulf Johansson
Chapter
Part of the Theory and Decision Library book series (TDLA, volume 11)

Abstract

The focus of this article is the proposition on an evolving new consumption pattern, increasingly fragmented and experience-oriented and controlled by psychological rather than material needs.

The starting point is different theories of human needs and the possibilities for consumption to play new roles. The changing consumption pattern and the inherent logic of the emerging trends are described by means of a conceptual model. The pervasiveness of the phenomenon is illustrated by a set of examples.

Keywords

Consumption Pattern Leisure Pursuit Basic Consumption Comfortable Life Luxurious Product 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Alderfer, C.P. (1969). An empirical test of a new theory of human needs. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 4, 142–175.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Angyal, A. (1941). Foundations for a science of personality. New York: The Common Wealth Fund.Google Scholar
  3. Asplund, J. (1967). Om mättnadsprocesser (On satiation processes). Uppsala: Argus.Google Scholar
  4. Barnes, L. (1960). Organizational systems and engineering groups. Boston: Harvard Graduate School of Business.Google Scholar
  5. Bettman, J.R. (1979). An information processing theory of consumer choice. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.Google Scholar
  6. de Geer, H., Ekstedt, E., Elvander, N., Henning, R., Lyttkens, L., Norgren, L., Sjölund, M., & Wikström, S. (1987). In the wale of the future. Swedish Perspectives on the Problems of Structural change. Aldershot: Gower.Google Scholar
  7. Elg, U., Johansson, U., Tollin, K., & Wikström, S. (1987). Matens metamorfos (The food metamorphosis). Stockholm: LT:s förlag.Google Scholar
  8. Fromm, E. (1978). To have or to be. London: Cape.Google Scholar
  9. Harrison, R. (1966). A conceptual framework for laboratory training. Mimeo.Google Scholar
  10. Hirsch, F. (1976). Social limits to growth. Gambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
  11. Hirschman, E., & Holbrook, M. (1982). Hedonic consumption: Emerging concepts, methods, and propositions. Journal of Marketing, 46 (2), 92–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Holbrook, M., & Hirschman, E. (1986). The experiential aspects of consumption: Consumer fantasies, feelings, and fun. Journal of Consumer Research, 9, 132–140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Leiss, W. (1978). The limits to satisfaction. London: Marion Boyars.Google Scholar
  14. Lyttkens, L. (1988). Politikens klicheér och människans ansikte (The clichés of politics and the face of man). Stockholm: Akademeja.Google Scholar
  15. Maddox, R.N. (1981). Two-factor theory and consumer satisfaction: Replication and extension. Journal of Consumer Research, 5, 97–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. Maslow, A.H. (1954). Motivation and personality. New York: Harper.Google Scholar
  17. Riesman, D. (1950). The lonely crowd. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
  18. Scitovsky, T. (1978). The joyless economy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
  19. Swan, J.E., & Combs, L.J. (1976). Product performance and consumer satisfaction: A new concept. Journal of Marketing, 40(2), 25–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Unger, L.S., & Kernan, J.B. (1983). On the meaning of leisure: An investigation of some determinants of the subjective experience. Journal of Consumer Research, 9, 381–392.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Uusitalo, L. (1986). Environmental impacts of consumption patterns. Aldershot: Gower.Google Scholar
  22. Veblen, T. (1953). The theory of the leisure class. New York: Mentor Books. (First edition 1899.)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Kluwer Academic Publishers 1989

Authors and Affiliations

  • Solveig R. Wikström
    • 1
  • Ulf Elg
    • 2
  • Ulf Johansson
    • 2
  1. 1.The Swedish Council for Management and Work Life IssuesStockholmSweden
  2. 2.Department of Business AdministrationUniversity of LundLundSweden

Personalised recommendations