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Cultures of consumption : gender and home e-shopping in the 'global knowledge economy'

Richardson, HJ

Authors

HJ Richardson



Contributors

A Adam
Supervisor

F Wilson
Supervisor

Abstract

My thesis concerns gender and home e-shopping in the UK. It is a study that
consciously takes a critical approach in the research process and I draw on the
powerful analytical tools of Pierre Bourdieu to discuss the cultures of consumption
in which home e-shopping resides. This research includes qualitative enquiry using a
longitudinal study of households, in-depth interviews and an on-line questionnaire as
part of the research process.
In this thesis I reflect on gender and home e-shopping that implies access to time,
technologies and credit in a domestic setting. E-shopping is implicated in
contemporary cultures of consumption and I situate this research in the political,
social, economic and historical context of the so-called 'global knowledge economy'
in which we live. My thesis is largely a critique of the concepts of a 'global
knowledge economy' and individualistic and consumption-led explanations of
everyday life.
I began the research in 1999 at the height of the dotcom boom and at that stage
questioned the 'hype' surrounding e-shopping. Focusing on gender and home e-
shopping raises varied but more specific questions Clearly an issue is how new
technologies have impacted not only on home e-shopping but in the household
generally. The notion of the domestication of ICT's is at the heart of my data
collection and analysis. I consider use of ICT's, the political economy of the
gendered family and the role of the household in consumption, questioning how
technologies are used in the home, which technologies, why, when and by whom.
Invoking a critical research approach, my qualitative enquiry shows significant
contradictions between governmental global economic rhetoric and the digital divide
discourse employed and outcomes in practice on the 'home front' By referring to
the work of Pierre Bourdieu, a sociologist and critical social theorist, I draw
attention to the powerful theoretical lens that his work can provide for Information
Systems researchers.

Citation

Richardson, H. Cultures of consumption : gender and home e-shopping in the 'global knowledge economy'. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

Thesis Type Thesis
Deposit Date Oct 3, 2012
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Award Date Jan 1, 2005

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