The Advantages of Being Disadvantaged

Alexandre Bohas (), Gilles Grolleau () and Naoufel Mzoughi
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Alexandre Bohas: ESSCA - ESSCA – École supérieure des sciences commerciales d'Angers = ESSCA Business School
Gilles Grolleau: ESSCA - ESSCA – École supérieure des sciences commerciales d'Angers = ESSCA Business School

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Abstract: While many contributions examine how individuals and various entities (e.g.,organizations, countries) manage to obtain a (competitive) advantage, there is a knowledge gap on how to make the best of disadvantages. Using notably the theories of self-enhancement and psychological reactance, the existing literature has explained the mechanisms that can motivate and support an entity to get out from a disadvantageous position. We go further by addressing the ‘how' issues. We conceptualize disadvantages and adopt a provocative stance by showing how they can be transformed into valuable opportunities. Specifically, we document how being disadvantaged may be a driver of compensatory behaviors, effectual thinking and innovation, and serves as an emotional bond and in-group marker. We also draw managerial and policy implications that offer a refreshing view on how to take advantage of disadvantages, such as changing the non-market context and promoting the disadvantage as a market differentiation factor. As a caveat, adopting this stance should not be interpreted as a catch-all solution that exonerates stakeholders from doing their part in providing support to disadvantaged entities

Keywords: Advantages compensatory behaviors disadvantages effectuation emotional bond; Advantages; compensatory behaviors; disadvantages; effectuation; emotional bond (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-04562320v1
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Published in Kyklos, 2024, ⟨10.1111/kykl.12388⟩

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Journal Article: The advantages of being disadvantaged (2024)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04562320

DOI: 10.1111/kykl.12388

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