IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/futbus/v10y2024i1d10.1186_s43093-024-00414-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Virtuous spaces, virtual places: institutionalizing values on ethical consumerism in the Indian toy industry through field-configuring events

Author

Listed:
  • Saheli Nath

    (University of Central Oklahoma)

Abstract

Focusing on India's toy industry, this study investigates how field-configuring events facilitate the institutionalization of ethical consumerism in emerging markets. Through virtual ethnographic analysis of the First India Toy Fair 2021, we examine how digital platforms enable institutional change processes. Drawing on institutional theory, we identify three key mechanisms through which the fair shaped ethical consumption practices: normative space creation, regulatory framework development, and cultural-cognitive meaning making. The fair served as a platform where stakeholders collectively defined ethical practices, negotiated quality standards, and legitimated traditional production methods within contemporary sustainability discourse. Our findings reveal how virtual field-configuring events can transcend geographical boundaries to enable broader participation in institutional change processes, while also highlighting the complex interplay between traditional craft values and modern market demands. The study demonstrates how traditional practices can provide templates for sustainable production while meeting contemporary consumer expectations. These insights contribute to understanding how ethical markets are moralized in emerging economies and how virtual spaces can support the preservation and evolution of traditional craft sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Saheli Nath, 2024. "Virtuous spaces, virtual places: institutionalizing values on ethical consumerism in the Indian toy industry through field-configuring events," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:10:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-024-00414-5
    DOI: 10.1186/s43093-024-00414-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s43093-024-00414-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s43093-024-00414-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elke Sch�ßler & Gernot Grabher & Gordon M�ller-Seitz, 2015. "Field-Configuring Events: Arenas for Innovation and Learning?," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(3), pages 165-172, April.
    2. Smirti Kutaula & Alvina Gillani & Diana Gregory-Smith & Boris Bartikowski, 2024. "Ethical Consumerism in Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(4), pages 651-673, May.
    3. Javalgi, Rajshekhar (Raj) G. & Grossman, David A., 2016. "Aspirations and entrepreneurial motivations of middle-class consumers in emerging markets: The case of India," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 657-667.
    4. Louise M. Hassan & Edward Shiu & Deirdre Shaw, 2016. "Who Says There is an Intention–Behaviour Gap? Assessing the Empirical Evidence of an Intention–Behaviour Gap in Ethical Consumption," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 136(2), pages 219-236, June.
    5. Sunanda Nayak & Vijay Pereira & Bahar Ali Kazmi & Pawan Budhwar, 2024. "To Buy or Not to Buy? Exploring Ethical Consumerism in an Emerging Market—India," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(4), pages 811-835, May.
    6. Ali Besharat & Gia Nardini & Rhiannon MacDonnell Mesler, 2024. "Bringing Ethical Consumption to the Forefront in Emerging Markets: The Role of Product Categorization," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(4), pages 777-792, May.
    7. Nick Lin-Hi & Igor Blumberg, 2017. "The Power(lessness) of Industry Self-regulation to Promote Responsible Labor Standards: Insights from the Chinese Toy Industry," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 143(4), pages 789-805, July.
    8. Whittle, Andrea & Suhomlinova, Olga & Mueller, Frank, 2011. "Dialogue and distributed agency in institutional transmission," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(4), pages 548-569, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Smirti Kutaula & Alvina Gillani & Diana Gregory-Smith & Boris Bartikowski, 2024. "Ethical Consumerism in Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(4), pages 651-673, May.
    2. Elena Kossmann & Mónica Gómez-Suárez, 2018. "Decision-making processes for purchases of ethical products: gaps between academic research and needs of marketing practitioners," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 15(3), pages 353-370, September.
    3. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-244.
    4. Samir Marwan Hammami & Tareq Muhammad Alhousary & Ahmad Taha Kahwaji & Syed Ahsan Jamil, 2022. "The status quo of omani female entrepreneurs: a story of multidimensional success factors," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2063-2089, August.
    5. Sharma, Dheeraj & Pandey, Shivendra, 2020. "The role payment depreciation in short temporal separations: Should online retailer make customers wait?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    6. Hye Jung Jung & Yun Jung Choi & Kyung Wha Oh, 2020. "Influencing Factors of Chinese Consumers’ Purchase Intention to Sustainable Apparel Products: Exploring Consumer “Attitude–Behavioral Intention” Gap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, February.
    7. Khalid Mehmood & Fauzia Jabeen & Shilpa Iyanna & Hui Zhang & Patrice Piccardi & Nagendra Singh Nehra, 2024. "Exploring drivers of behavioral willingness to reduce plastic consumption and socially responsible consumption behavior: A stimulus–organism–behavior–consequence paradigm based environmental managemen," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 3098-3118, July.
    8. Shehawy, Yasser Moustafa, 2023. "In green consumption, why consumers do not walk their talk: A cross cultural examination from Saudi Arabia and UK," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    9. repec:unu:wpaper:wp2012-64 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Valeria Superti & Cynthia Houmani & Ralph Hansmann & Ivo Baur & Claudia R. Binder, 2021. "Strategies for a Circular Economy in the Construction and Demolition Sector: Identifying the Factors Affecting the Recommendation of Recycled Concrete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-32, April.
    11. Diane Pelly & Orla Doyle, 2022. "Nudging in the workplace: increasing participation in employee EDI wellness events," Working Papers 202208, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.
    12. Anne Christensen & Jane Cote & Claire Kamm Latham, 2018. "Developing Ethical Confidence: The Impact of Action-Oriented Ethics Instruction in an Accounting Curriculum," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(4), pages 1157-1175, December.
    13. Eggimann, Andres & Kendzia, Michael Jan, 2022. "Rise of the Indian Middle Class and Its Impact on the Labor Market," IZA Discussion Papers 15410, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    14. Kutaula, Smirti & Gillani, Alvina & Leonidou, Leonidas C. & Christodoulides, Paul, 2022. "Integrating fair trade with circular economy: Personality traits, consumer engagement, and ethically-minded behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1087-1102.
    15. Somjit Barat, 2022. "Attitudes of the Indian Middle Class: A Theory of Planned Behavior Approach," Athens Journal of Business & Economics, Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), vol. 8(1), pages 21-42, January.
    16. Nayeon Kim & Kyungtag Lee, 2023. "Environmental Consciousness, Purchase Intention, and Actual Purchase Behavior of Eco-Friendly Products: The Moderating Impact of Situational Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-17, March.
    17. Le Vu Lan Oanh & Patrizia Tettamanzi & Dinh Tien Minh & Maurizio Comoli & Kamel Mouloudj & Michael Murgolo & Mai Dang Thu Hien, 2024. "How Ethical Behavior Is Considered in Different Contexts: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-38, August.
    18. Paul Schulz & Susanne Nicolai & Samuel Tomczyk & Silke Schmidt & Philipp Franikowski & Susanne Stoll-Kleemann, 2024. "Gender and Socioeconomic Influences on Ten Pro-Environmental Behavior Intentions: A German Comparative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-15, March.
    19. Frommeyer, Britta & Wagner, Elisa & Hossiep, C. Richard & Schewe, Gerhard, 2022. "The utility of intention as a proxy for sustainable buying behavior – A necessary condition analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 201-213.
    20. Dermody, Janine & Koenig-Lewis, Nicole & Zhao, Anita Lifen & Hanmer-Lloyd, Stuart, 2018. "Appraising the influence of pro-environmental self-identity on sustainable consumption buying and curtailment in emerging markets: Evidence from China and Poland," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 333-343.
    21. Monika Wawer & Kalina Grzesiuk & Dorota Jegorow, 2022. "Smart Mobility in a Smart City in the Context of Generation Z Sustainability, Use of ICT, and Participation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-30, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:10:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-024-00414-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.