College
Coggin College of Business
Department
Marketing & Logistics
Rank
Assistant Professor
Harmonious Homegoings: Alleviating Consumer Vulnerability through Service Fluidity and Compassion
Type of Work
Journal Article
Publication Information
Azzari, C.N., Mitchell, N.A. and Dadzie, C.A. (2021), "Harmonious homegoings: alleviating consumer vulnerability through service fluidity and compassion", Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 35 No. 6, pp. 722-739.
Description of Work
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of service flexibility in addressing consumer vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers within the funerary context. Design/methodology/approach Using phenomenological philosophy and a grounded approach, data was collected and analyzed through 12 depth interviews with funeral service providers, coupled with observations and photographs of three second-line funeral processionals. Findings Study results include the following three primary roles of service providers in supporting chronically-traumatized consumers: the role of service fluidity in addressing trauma, mitigating vulnerability via service providers as community members and alleviating suffering through compassionate service. Service flexibility and value co-creation efforts were executed through an expansive service ecosystem of vendors. Practical implications When consumers experience vulnerability that demands reliance upon service industries, service providers can intentionally implement fluidity and agility in service design, adopt understanding and altruistic practices, and operate with empathy and compassion to orchestrate mutually-beneficial service outcomes. Social implications Rooted in transformative service research, providers are advised to consider modifying services to improve well-being and mitigate vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers via fluidity, community and compassion. Originality/value This study contributes originality to the body of service marketing literature by illustrating how service providers alleviate vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers through three adaptive service strategies.
Rights Statement
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Rights and Access Note
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited
Harmonious Homegoings: Alleviating Consumer Vulnerability through Service Fluidity and Compassion
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of service flexibility in addressing consumer vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers within the funerary context. Design/methodology/approach Using phenomenological philosophy and a grounded approach, data was collected and analyzed through 12 depth interviews with funeral service providers, coupled with observations and photographs of three second-line funeral processionals. Findings Study results include the following three primary roles of service providers in supporting chronically-traumatized consumers: the role of service fluidity in addressing trauma, mitigating vulnerability via service providers as community members and alleviating suffering through compassionate service. Service flexibility and value co-creation efforts were executed through an expansive service ecosystem of vendors. Practical implications When consumers experience vulnerability that demands reliance upon service industries, service providers can intentionally implement fluidity and agility in service design, adopt understanding and altruistic practices, and operate with empathy and compassion to orchestrate mutually-beneficial service outcomes. Social implications Rooted in transformative service research, providers are advised to consider modifying services to improve well-being and mitigate vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers via fluidity, community and compassion. Originality/value This study contributes originality to the body of service marketing literature by illustrating how service providers alleviate vulnerability for chronically-traumatized consumers through three adaptive service strategies.
Biographical Statement
Courtney Nations Azzari is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at UNF. Her research focuses on issues related to services marketing and transformative consumer research. Dr. Azzari seeks to better understand how services impact personal and environmental well-being during transformational experiences and rituals. Her work has examined funerary services, social services, healthcare, and natural disaster recovery. Overall, she aims to understand how service providers can positively influence meaningful life experiences in ways that are inclusive, co-creative, responsive, and considerate of well-being issues. Dr. Azzari received the 2021 American Marketing Association Marketing and Society Special Interest Group Emerging Scholar Award.