The Semiotics of Anti-Consumption (Conference presentation)
Epure, M./ Bondrea, A. A.
The paper examines the ways in which symbols are transmitted in order to convey a desired meaning and looks
at consumer insights in connection with anti-consumption discourses. It considers anti-consumption and consumer
resistance as the meaning and experience of the consumer towards current aggressive consumerism and explains “a
resistance that is both a consumer activity and an attitude” (Cherrier, 2009). We employ Saussaure dyadic’s model
(Noth,1995) to identify and explain the signifier and the signified. Using Peirce’s semiotic triangle (Peirce, 1931) we have
incorporated in our analysis the sense, sign vehicle and referent of words in an attempt to identify the meaning of anticonsumption
discourses. We have explored how semiotics was used in different anti-consumption messages, in an attempt to
link the semiotics of two major anti-consumption discourse themes revealed by the work of Cherrier, 2008. The selected
texts were organized as collages (appendix 1-7) that bring to light the most powerful signs along with their meaning. Anticonsumption
attitudes result from a process of self-inquiry triggered by the failure to feel authentic through one’s
consumption activities. People who are voluntarily reducing their consumption may be motivated by the underlying socialpsychological
stress related to living in a consumerist society (Zavestoski, 2002). The analysis was conducted on a limited
number of texts, from different cultures, and for generalisation a wider range of anti-consumption discourses should be
considered. This Paper’s originality consist of introducing semiotics theories and methodologies in order to identify the key
elements of anti-consumption texts and also, to establish the possibility of measuring the impact of anti-consumption
discourses on consumers and their social behavioural changes. By exploring anti-brand discourses, the paper brings a new
perspective on people’s interpretation of brand and brand “addiction”.
Institution and School/Department of submitter: | Σχολή Διοίκησης και Οικονομίας / Τμήμα Διοίκησης Επιχειρήσεων |
Keywords: | Semiotic;Anti-consumption;Symbol;Signs;Brand;Affluenza;Σημειωτική;Αντί - κατανάλωση;Σύμβολο;Σημάδια;Μάρκα |
Citation: | International Conference on Contemporary Marketing Issues (ICCMI) 13 – 15 June 2012 Thessaloniki, Greece |
Description: | Άρθρο Συνεδρίου--ΑΤΕΙΘ, 2012 |
URI: | http://195.251.240.227/jspui/handle/123456789/1259 |
Publisher: | Alexander Technological Educational Institute (ATEI) of Thessaloniki, Department of Marketing Bucks New University |
Appears in Collections: | ICCMI (2012) |
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File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Epure_Bondrea_The_Semiotics_of_Anti-Consumption.pdf | 636.22 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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