OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENG IN MARKETING: HOW AND WHY PEOPLE DISPOSE GOODS?

Abstract

Despite the fact that the field of consumer behavior is defined by acquisition, consumption, and disposition of goods, services, time and ideas, very few studies have addressed the disposition issue. Indeed, in spite of its relevance, the literature on the subject is scant and dispersed, failing to foster a dialogue that could contribute to knowledge building and recommendations for practitioners. Adopting a methodology for carrying out systematic bibliographical investigations, with selection of journals on the basis of multiple rankings, the research at issue in this article aimed at filling this gap in two different ways. First it reviewed and organized what had been published on this topic. Second, it proposed an analytical framework with a view to analyzing and reflecting upon the dynamic interaction of the elements that define disposal behavior. The framework made a distinction between five types of benefits of disposal, and proposed possible relationships between involvement in the disposal act, dissonance and disposal rituals. Finally, the article discusses the implications of the research´s results for understanding consumer behavior and marketing management.