Consumer marketplaces and self-sufficiency: meeting consumption needs in community

Guided by a ‘logic of the situation’ approach our research investigated a problematic situation in community in order to identify and critically reflect on how consumer marketplaces and self-sufficiency are ever-present and co-exist to actually meet consumption needs. In doing so, we reflect on how a situational understanding allowed the researchers to form a more complete view of how consumption needs were actually met in community through the coexistence of enabler-led marketplaces, community-led marketplaces and self-sufficiency. We also re-conceptualised our thinking as a more broadly conceived hybrid consumer marketplace to reflect our more complete understanding. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our more broadly conceived hybrid consumer marketplace and provide a foundation for further research into consumer marketplaces and meeting consumption needs.