Marketing redefined: A qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitions

Purpose: This study uses the integrative literature review (ILR) methodology to examine the evolution of marketing definitions through technological transformation, demonstrating ILR's unique capacity to synthesise diverse sources and reveal thematic developments in marketing's progression...

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Main Authors: Norman Mafuratidze, Professor Marius Wait, Professor Ilse Struweg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Department of Marketing Management, University of South Africa 2025-06-01
Series:The Retail and Marketing Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://retailandmarketingreview.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/RMR21-1-71-93.pdf
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author Norman Mafuratidze
Professor Marius Wait
Professor Ilse Struweg
author_facet Norman Mafuratidze
Professor Marius Wait
Professor Ilse Struweg
author_sort Norman Mafuratidze
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: This study uses the integrative literature review (ILR) methodology to examine the evolution of marketing definitions through technological transformation, demonstrating ILR's unique capacity to synthesise diverse sources and reveal thematic developments in marketing's progression. Design/methodology/approach: The research implements a systematic five-step ILR process encompassing review design, establishing inclusion/exclusion criteria, comprehensive literature searches, data extraction, and critical synthesis to identify key patterns and shifts in marketing definitions over time. Findings: The analysis reveals a progressive shift in marketing definitions from transactional approaches towards a value co-creation paradigm characterised by multiple interconnected actors operating in service ecosystems. Originality: This study advances the qualitative methodological discourse by demonstrating ILR's effectiveness in examining complex, evolving concepts, distinguishing itself from traditional systematic review approaches. Research implications: The findings establish a foundation for the future application of the ILR methodology in emerging marketing domains, particularly in digital transformation and sustainability contexts. Practical implications: The research provides scholars and practitioners with insights for aligning marketing strategies with contemporary demands through a comprehensive understanding of marketing's definitional evolution.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2708-3209
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Department of Marketing Management, University of South Africa
record_format Article
series The Retail and Marketing Review
spelling doaj-art-af36575fceaf4a37aa5fbd3961cd898b2025-08-20T03:27:51ZengDepartment of Marketing Management, University of South AfricaThe Retail and Marketing Review2708-32092025-06-012117193https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15683427Marketing redefined: A qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitionsNorman Mafuratidze0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8626-3738Professor Marius Wait1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6438-5956Professor Ilse Struweg2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1448-5286Department of Marketing, University of JohannesburgDepartment of Marketing, University of JohannesburgDepartment of Marketing, University of JohannesburgPurpose: This study uses the integrative literature review (ILR) methodology to examine the evolution of marketing definitions through technological transformation, demonstrating ILR's unique capacity to synthesise diverse sources and reveal thematic developments in marketing's progression. Design/methodology/approach: The research implements a systematic five-step ILR process encompassing review design, establishing inclusion/exclusion criteria, comprehensive literature searches, data extraction, and critical synthesis to identify key patterns and shifts in marketing definitions over time. Findings: The analysis reveals a progressive shift in marketing definitions from transactional approaches towards a value co-creation paradigm characterised by multiple interconnected actors operating in service ecosystems. Originality: This study advances the qualitative methodological discourse by demonstrating ILR's effectiveness in examining complex, evolving concepts, distinguishing itself from traditional systematic review approaches. Research implications: The findings establish a foundation for the future application of the ILR methodology in emerging marketing domains, particularly in digital transformation and sustainability contexts. Practical implications: The research provides scholars and practitioners with insights for aligning marketing strategies with contemporary demands through a comprehensive understanding of marketing's definitional evolution. https://retailandmarketingreview.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/RMR21-1-71-93.pdfintegrative literature reviewqualitative researchmarketingvalue exchange
spellingShingle Norman Mafuratidze
Professor Marius Wait
Professor Ilse Struweg
Marketing redefined: A qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitions
The Retail and Marketing Review
integrative literature review
qualitative research
marketing
value exchange
title Marketing redefined: A qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitions
title_full Marketing redefined: A qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitions
title_fullStr Marketing redefined: A qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitions
title_full_unstemmed Marketing redefined: A qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitions
title_short Marketing redefined: A qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitions
title_sort marketing redefined a qualitative and integrative literature review charting the evolution of marketing definitions
topic integrative literature review
qualitative research
marketing
value exchange
url https://retailandmarketingreview.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/RMR21-1-71-93.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT normanmafuratidze marketingredefinedaqualitativeandintegrativeliteraturereviewchartingtheevolutionofmarketingdefinitions
AT professormariuswait marketingredefinedaqualitativeandintegrativeliteraturereviewchartingtheevolutionofmarketingdefinitions
AT professorilsestruweg marketingredefinedaqualitativeandintegrativeliteraturereviewchartingtheevolutionofmarketingdefinitions