“Mobility-Things” and Consumer Logistics among Families

• The aim of this paper is to present an understanding of consumers on the move with recent purchases, i.e. moving consumers doing consumer logistics, as it is negotiated in the performance of a variety of material objects or “mobility-things” as I call them: containers (bags, carriers, baby strollers) and means of mobility (bikes, cars, buses, trams). On shopping trips away from home, consumers depend on various “mobility-things” to assist in their journeys. Among families with small children the stroller is one of the most important. Objects are co-constitutive of moving consumers in urban space and people often extend their body range, carrying capacities, mobility skills and ability to move across distance through enrolling devices. They use them for planning the route of consumption and the number and volume of goods to purchase. In turn, devices also play a role in the embodiment and experience of being a consumer on the move. The results points towards the important role of mobilitythings in patterns of consumption and adds a hitherto neglected supplement to our understanding of consumption, markets and consumer culture. In this paper I focus on how artifacts play a role in the arrangement of consumption practices among families with small children in Gothenburg, Sweden. I use qualitative ethnographic data obtained through in-depth interviews, videos and “go-along observations” together with families as they shop.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora -- Etnologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities -- Ethnology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)