Commodity, gift and mass-gift: on gift–commodity hybrids in advanced mass consumption cultures

The gift in interaction: a study of ‘picking‐up the bill’

“…Gifts are inalienable objects that bind giver and recipient in an interdependent relation, via the establishment of reciprocal obligations (Gregory 1980; Morris 1986; Komter 1996; Laidlaw 2000). Of course, sometimes these boundaries blur (Herrmann 1997; Laidlaw 2000; Currah 2007; Bird‐David and Darr 2009) but that is not the issue here. The point is that over time theoretical definitions have been developed that allow analysts to observe, delineate and classify gifts.…”

“…This paper analyses a ubiquitous form of contemporary gift giving and exchange, occasions where one person ‘picks up the bill’ and thereby pays for another's consumption. It contributes to the resurgence of sociological interest in the gift (see Komter 1996; Herrmann 1997; Darr 2003; Currah 2007; Bird‐David and Darr 2009; Llewellyn 2011). Rather than drawing on post‐hoc accounts or casual observation, video recordings are analysed that capture people ‘picking up the bill’ in a naturalistic, rather than manufactured, environment.…”

Comment vendre un produit incertain ? Activités de détachement et d’attachement d’une firme d’agrofourniture

“…Cette entrée par les attachements, ancrée dans le projet plus général de la sociologie de la traduction (Callon, 1986 ;Latour, 2005 ;Cochoy, 2012), est parfaitement opératoire pour étudier le fonctionnement des marchés concrets. Ainsi, en observant des consommateurs en situation d'achat ou d'usage (Cochoy, 2002 ;Hennion, 2004 ;Dubuisson-Quellier, 2006) et des « professionnels du marché » en situation de conception, de commercialisation ou de prescription (Barrey et al, 2000 ;Licoppe, 2001 ;Dubuisson-Quellier, 2003 ;Cochoy, 2004 ;Trompette, 2005 ;Canu et Mallard, 2006 ;Grandclément, 2008 ;Bird-David et Darr, 2009 ;Nouguez, 2009), de nombreux travaux ont mis au jour la nature des agencements sociotechniques qui constituent les relations entre les entreprises et leurs clients, les consommateurs et leurs produits. Au coeur de ces relations, se trouvent bien entendu les espaces commerciaux et les vendeurs, mais aussi les produits et les emballages, les listes de courses et les cartes de fidélité, les tests de dégustation et les focus groups, etc.…”

Manufacturing national attachments: gift-giving, market exchange and the construction of Irish and Zionist diaspora bonds

“…In real life, the distinction between gift-giving and market exchange is far more fluid than analysts sometimes suggest. People often playfully combine different types of exchange in order to extract special treatment or sometimes to gain a market advantage (Bird-David and Darr 2009;Darr 2003;Davis 1996;Zelizer 1996). National entrepreneurs, just like marketing professionals, may disregard analytical distinctions and devise ways to relate groups to the nation by weaving together practices of gift-giving and market exchange.…”