ÂÜÀòÉç¹ÙÍø

Journal of Marketing Management Special Issue Call for Papers

Marketing and Managing Racial Dynamics – in Theory and Practice

Deadline for submissions: 15 September 2019.

Guest Editors:

• Kevin D. Thomas, Marquette University, USA
• Judy Foster Davis, Eastern Michigan University, USA
• Jonathan Wilson, GSM London, UK
• Francesca Sobande, Edge Hill University, UK

As a social construct, race is a key aspect of hierarchy upon which the functioning of marketing is understood and practiced. Racial dynamics remain central to contemporary marketing strategies across the globe, including product development, consumer segmentation, advertising and marketing communication approaches, online and offline service delivery, and pricing policies (Bonsu, 2009; Burton, 2000; Crockett, Grier & Williams, 2003; Davis, 2018; Wilson, 2011).

Despite its continued centrality to market activities, race and racism are largely uncritically addressed in academic research (Grier, Thomas, & Johnson, 2018). The purpose of this special issue is to further the mission of the Race in the Marketplace (RIM) research network. RIM is an international multidisciplinary research network dedicated to innovatively advancing knowledge and critically understanding the role of race and how it intersects with ethnicity, class, gender, religion, sexuality, disability and experiences of migration in global marketplaces, including online and offline (Henderson, Hakstian, & Williams, 2016; Jamal, Peñaloza & Laroche, 2015; Lindridge, et al., 2015; Sobande, 2017). This call for submissions focuses on the management of issues related to race, marketing and marketplaces. It coincides with the biannual Race in the Marketplace (RIM) Forum in Paris, France in June 2019 (). However, this is an open call, participation in the forum is not a prerequisite for submission.

Broadly, this special issue aims to disseminate race-based market research that critically examines how history, social hierarchies, power, privilege and peoples’ actions shape markets and impact consumer experiences and lives. The special issue is international in scope and equally welcomes conceptual and empirical research. Specific topics/areas of enquiry may include the following:

• How are marketing practices impacted by race? How is the experience of racialization impacted by marketing practices?
• How are markets racialized through the tactics and strategies employed by marketing practitioners?
• How has the integration of big data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence into the practice of marketing served to reinforce, perpetuate and exacerbate existing systems of racism – or help alleviate them?
• How does the dynamic of race and marketing shift when considering online marketplaces?
• What are the impacts of advertising and racialized consumer segmentation tactics on the racial identity projects of consumers?
• What key qualitative differences exist in the relationship between race and marketing as it relates to the lived experience of white and non-white consumers?
• Can racial equity be achieved in marketing or is racial inequity a fundamental aspect of the industry?
• What practical actions can be taken by individuals, collectives, organizations, businesses, and government entities to bring about fair and more equitable marketing practices?

Should you have questions about the suitability of a specific research topic, please contact the Special Issue Editors.

Authors should submit manuscripts of between 8,000–12,000 words (excluding references). All submissions must strictly follow the guidelines for JMM, & Manuscripts should be submitted online using the JMM ScholarOne Manuscripts site. For the full Call for Papers including References, and detailed information on how to submit your manuscript, please visit:

JMM Online:
JMM Blog:
JMM on Twitter:
JMM on Facebook:

---