{"title":"Dialectic critical realism in business marketing: dialectic customer portfolio management","authors":"Markus Vanharanta, Phoebe Wong","doi":"10.1108/jbim-07-2022-0333","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Purpose This study aims to contribute to the field of customer portfolio management by proposing a novel approach rooted in dialectic critical realism (DCR). DCR, as an ontological theory, enables a fundamental reimagining of customer portfolio management as a dialectic process. The conceptualized dialectic portfolio management is motivated by the concept of “absence”, akin to Hegelian “antithesis”, which highlights limitations, problems and tensions in portfolio management. In essence, “absence” serves as a diagnostic tool that directs portfolio actions towards resolving problems by pursuing a more comprehensive “totality”, similar to the Hegelian notion of “synthesis”. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper theorizes DCR in business marketing and customer portfolio management. Findings DCR conceptualizes customer portfolios as relational structures characterized by omissions and tensions. These issues are addressed through a dialectic synthesis aimed at achieving a more comprehensive “totality”. Consequently, DCR guides portfolio management to continually re-think the connections and distinctions that define a portfolio within its network context. This dialectic process is facilitated by a novel vocabulary that enhances the understanding of network and portfolio relations, incorporating concepts such as “intrapermeations”, “existential constitutions”, “intra-connections” and “intensive” and “extensive” portfolio practices. Originality/value This study aims to foster a fresh and process-oriented perspective on portfolio management, drawing inspiration from the growing demand for enriched dialectic theorizing within the realm of business marketing. The adoption of a dialectic process orientation based on DCR revolutionizes the comprehension of portfolio management by fundamentally reimagining the underlying ontological assumptions that underpin the existing body of literature on customer portfolios. Moreover, DCR asserts that ethical considerations are inextricably linked to human experiences and associated practices, emphasizing ethics as an integral component of customer portfolio management.","PeriodicalId":48181,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.6000,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jbim-07-2022-0333","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BUSINESS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to contribute to the field of customer portfolio management by proposing a novel approach rooted in dialectic critical realism (DCR). DCR, as an ontological theory, enables a fundamental reimagining of customer portfolio management as a dialectic process. The conceptualized dialectic portfolio management is motivated by the concept of “absence”, akin to Hegelian “antithesis”, which highlights limitations, problems and tensions in portfolio management. In essence, “absence” serves as a diagnostic tool that directs portfolio actions towards resolving problems by pursuing a more comprehensive “totality”, similar to the Hegelian notion of “synthesis”. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper theorizes DCR in business marketing and customer portfolio management. Findings DCR conceptualizes customer portfolios as relational structures characterized by omissions and tensions. These issues are addressed through a dialectic synthesis aimed at achieving a more comprehensive “totality”. Consequently, DCR guides portfolio management to continually re-think the connections and distinctions that define a portfolio within its network context. This dialectic process is facilitated by a novel vocabulary that enhances the understanding of network and portfolio relations, incorporating concepts such as “intrapermeations”, “existential constitutions”, “intra-connections” and “intensive” and “extensive” portfolio practices. Originality/value This study aims to foster a fresh and process-oriented perspective on portfolio management, drawing inspiration from the growing demand for enriched dialectic theorizing within the realm of business marketing. The adoption of a dialectic process orientation based on DCR revolutionizes the comprehension of portfolio management by fundamentally reimagining the underlying ontological assumptions that underpin the existing body of literature on customer portfolios. Moreover, DCR asserts that ethical considerations are inextricably linked to human experiences and associated practices, emphasizing ethics as an integral component of customer portfolio management.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing (JBIM) publishes research on new ideas concerning business-to-business marketing, that is, how one company or organization markets its goods/services/ideas to another company or organization. It is a valuable source for academics, directors and executives of marketing, providing them with new, fresh insights which are applicable within real life settings. JBIM''s emphasis on insistence of proof is one of the cornerstones of its success and its reputation. Contributors to the journal must not only present new theories or ideas, but also back them up with research. In the process, many myths are exploded, philosophies reinvented and the scene set for topical debate on critical issues in B2B marketing. The B2B landscape evolves and so does the research that explores the emerging features and properties of B2B markets. From 2019 the journal hosts the IMP Forum that invites research advancing the boundaries of B2B marketing. Prior research has evidenced that interactivity and interdependences characterize interorganizational business relationships. The Forum aims to bring out research that explores interactivity and interdependences in business relationships and their implications for marketing management, business development and for society at large. Coverage: -Competition and cooperation- Networks in business markets- Buyer behaviour – purchasing and supply management- Managing product offerings- New product development and innovation- Networks in business markets- Distribution and routes to market- Market and customer communication - Customer relationship management- Sales and key account management- Organizing for global markets -