Consumer Autonomy and Social Technology: The Case of Social Media Algorithms and the Metaverse

Thomas Boysen Anker

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-49039-2_10

Consumer Autonomy and Social Technology: The Case of Social Media Algorithms and the Metaverse

Thomas Boysen Anker (Lead / Corresponding author)

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

138 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Consumer autonomy is a central concept in marketing ethics: it is a pre-condition of informed decision making and, as such, a crucial principle which marketers must respect, safeguard and perhaps even promote. Traditional debate on consumer autonomy has focused on the extent to which persuasive advertising undermines the conditions of autonomous choice. Recently, technological advances as well as insights into the biological underpinnings of human choice and self-control have reignited interest into consumer autonomy. This article discusses the impact of social technology (particularly social media algorithms and the metaverse) on consumer autonomy. Based on a tripartite definition of autonomy, we demonstrate how social technology may have a positive impact on autonomy in general but poses real challenges to one specific type of autonomy. We then discuss two contemporary problems—perceived versus actual autonomy, and genetic causation of consumer behaviour—and use the tripartite definition to explain why these apparent threats to consumer autonomy may not undermine autonomy after all.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Welcome to The New Normal: Life After The Chaos
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of the 2023 AMS Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, May 17–19, 2023
Editors	Vincent Jeseo, Juliann Allen
Place of Publication	Switzerland
Publisher	Springer
Pages	99-110
Number of pages	12
ISBN (Electronic)	9783031490392
ISBN (Print)	9783031490385 (hbk), 9783031490415 (pbk)
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49039-2_10
Publication status	Published - 2024

Publication series

Name	Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science
ISSN (Print)	2363-6165
ISSN (Electronic)	2363-6173

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

Autonomy
Ethics
Consumer choice
Technology
Social media
Algorithms
Metaverse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Marketing
Strategy and Management

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-49039-2_10

Author Accepted ManuscriptAccepted author manuscript, 269 KB

Cite this

Anker, T. B. (2024). Consumer Autonomy and Social Technology: The Case of Social Media Algorithms and the Metaverse. In V. Jeseo, & J. Allen (Eds.), Welcome to The New Normal: Life After The Chaos: Proceedings of the 2023 AMS Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, May 17–19, 2023 (pp. 99-110). (Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science). Springer . https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49039-2_10

Anker, Thomas Boysen. / Consumer Autonomy and Social Technology : The Case of Social Media Algorithms and the Metaverse. Welcome to The New Normal: Life After The Chaos: Proceedings of the 2023 AMS Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, May 17–19, 2023. editor / Vincent Jeseo ; Juliann Allen. Switzerland : Springer , 2024. pp. 99-110 (Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science).

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Anker, TB 2024, Consumer Autonomy and Social Technology: The Case of Social Media Algorithms and the Metaverse. in V Jeseo & J Allen (eds), Welcome to The New Normal: Life After The Chaos: Proceedings of the 2023 AMS Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, May 17–19, 2023. Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer , Switzerland, pp. 99-110. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49039-2_10

Consumer Autonomy and Social Technology: The Case of Social Media Algorithms and the Metaverse. / Anker, Thomas Boysen (Lead / Corresponding author).
Welcome to The New Normal: Life After The Chaos: Proceedings of the 2023 AMS Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, May 17–19, 2023. ed. / Vincent Jeseo; Juliann Allen. Switzerland: Springer , 2024. p. 99-110 (Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

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Anker TB. Consumer Autonomy and Social Technology: The Case of Social Media Algorithms and the Metaverse. In Jeseo V, Allen J, editors, Welcome to The New Normal: Life After The Chaos: Proceedings of the 2023 AMS Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, May 17–19, 2023. Switzerland: Springer . 2024. p. 99-110. (Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science). Epub 2024 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-49039-2_10

Consumer Autonomy and Social Technology: The Case of Social Media Algorithms and the Metaverse

Abstract

Publication series

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this