Restless platformance: How prosumer practices change platform markets

Abstract

Prosumers in many markets are increasingly using platforms for their inter-related production and consumption pursuits. Using a practice theory lens, this paper examines how the connections between the bundle of marketing practices performed by entrepreneurial prosumers in the craft market are altered when they come to rely on platforms like Etsy. It identifies a new practice, labeled “platformance,” that these prosumers adopt in response to changes in their practices bundle. Platformance is a restless practice in that it aims to alter the market in which it is embedded. Findings reported here suggest that platformance may help prosumers deal with platformization by changing certain market elements, but ironically may also increase their platform dependence. Platformance may also contribute to altering aspects of the platform markets in which it is performed.