Conceptualising the (dis)abling marketplace through value creation and destruction

Abstract

Drawing upon value theory, this study investigates both the enabling and disabling features of marketplaces for consumers in the disability market. Analysis of longitudinal qualitative data collected before and after the introduction of a new disability service provision scheme in Australia offer empirical evidence of such marketplaces that are both creating and destroying value for people with disability and their carers. In some instances, value creation and destruction can co-occur for individual consumers. These empirical insights lead to a theoretical conceptualisation of the marketplace as not being wholly disabling, but rather consisting of disabling and enabling factors. Understanding these factors allows service providers and policy makers to make adjustments in view of maximising value creation and minimising value destruction.