Extending and Expanding Product Usability
Introduction
Special issue of the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research; Deadline 1 Oct 2025
INTEREST CATEGORY: CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
POSTING TYPE: Calls: Journals
Posted by: James Ellis
Extending and Expanding Product Usability
Issue Editors: Donald L. Lehmann, Linda L. Price, D. Matthew Godfrey
Renewed interest in consumer activities that extend or expand product usability has emerged from growing concerns with waste and a re-emergence of values such as thrift, creativity, and stewardship. Consumer research has examined product purchase, use, and recycling decisions, but has paid less attention to how consumers prolong and reimagine the useability and circulation of products by repairing, reusing, maintaining, cleaning, repurposing, recirculating, or restoring old and used materials. The central goal of this themed issue is to bring together theoretically novel and substantively important research that advances the understanding of why, when, where, and how consumers extend and expand product usability. Understanding these phenomena is important for transitions to more circular and sustainable economies, as well as improving consumer well-being through healthier relationships with products and physical materials.
Read the full call for papers here:
Editorial Timeline
- Pre-Submission Virtual Workshop: June 2025
- Initial manuscript submission: August 1 – October 1, 2025
- Deadline for submission of final manuscripts: September 15, 2026
- Publication: January 2027