No through road: a critical examination of researcher assumptions and approaches to researching sustainability.

McDonald, Seonaidh; Oates, Caroline J.; Alevizou, Panayiota J.

Abstract

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to examine the ways in which academic researchers frame and conduct sustainability research and to ask to what extent we are limited by these frames. Methodology/approach-Our approach is based on an epistemological critique. We begin with a discussion of the ways in which sustainable consumption has been conceptualised within marketing; we question the influence of positivist social science research traditions and examine how research on sustainability is impacted by the structure of academia. Findings-Our critical reflection leads us to suggest three ways in which sustainability research might be re-framed: a reconsideration of language, a shift in the locus of responsibility and the adoption of a holistic approach. Research implications-We propose that in order to make progress in sustainability research, alternative frames, terms, units of analysis, method(ologies) and research ambitions are needed. Originality/value-By making visible our collective, unexamined assumptions, we can now move forward with new questions and agendas for sustainability research.

Citation

MCDONALD, S., OATES, C.J. and ALEVIZOU, P.J. 2016. No through road: a critical examination of researcher assumptions and approaches to researching sustainability. In Malhotra, N.K. (ed.) Marketing in and for a sustainable society. Review of marketing research, 13. Bingley: Emerald [online], pages 139-168. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1548-643520160000013014

• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2016
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 12, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 27, 2016
• Print ISSN: 1548-6435
• Publisher: Emerald
• Pages: 139-168
• Series Title: Review of marketing research
• Series Number: 13
• Series ISSN: 1548-6435
• Book Title: Marketing in and for a sustainable society
• ISBN: 9781786352828
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1548-643520160000013014
• Keywords: Sustainability; Research methodologies; Methodologies; Market research
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1469